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)