Satya Wacana disrupted by violent protest

Satya Wacana disrupted by violent protest

SALATIGA, Central Java (JP): Satya Wacana Christian University
students went on the rampage yesterday, demonstrating their fury
at the management's inability to solve the internal conflict
which has badly disrupted the learning-teaching activities over
the past year.

Several thousand students broke into the rectorial and
foundation buildings, smashing window panes, vandalizing
equipment and destroying anything in their way.

Dozens of security officers on guard were overwhelmed and
scores of troops in heavy anti-riot gear were called in to quell
the rioters.

Eyewitnesses said that yesterday's demonstration was the
largest and most violent over the past year.

As security officers managed to bring the situation under
control, the protesters set up camps within the campus, unfurling
banners and taking turn criticizing Rector John JOI Ihalauw.

"The rector must resign," a banner read. "Who can bear this
chaotic situation?", "Scrap the rector's decrees that sparked
this crisis," others read.

Ihalauw regretted the violent demonstration and described the
vandalistic act as "anarchy".

"The attack has caused a loss of no less than Rp 200 million,"
he said. "However, we are determined to continue the learning-
teaching activities."

Conflicts in the prestigious university started with the
controversial election of Ihalauw last year. His critics claim
that the election was "undemocratic" and demanded that the
process be repeated.

The conflict escalated in November last year when Ihalauw
fired outspoken academic Arief Budiman, who is also his ardent
critic, for disciplinary reasons.

Students and teachers opposed to Ihalauw's leadership demand
that the rector resign, Arief be reinstated and learning-teaching
activities be restored.

The conflict worsened after Ihalauw, who receives strong
backing from the university's foundation, also sacked dozens of
teachers and employees opposed to his policies.

One demonstrator, Sutrisno, told The Jakarta Post yesterday
that the students' violent act should be seen as "justifiable"
because they have spent millions of rupiahs in tuition fees and
living costs only to see the conflict drag on.

"We just cannot understand why the Ministry of Education and
Culture refuses to intervene," he said. (har/pan)