Students, lecturers protest election

Students, lecturers protest election

The Jakarta Post, Bogor

Students and lecturers from the Bogor Institute of Agriculture
(IPB) protested the rectorial election process, saying it lacked
transparency and fairness.

President of the Students' Executive Board (BEM), Atang
Trisnanto, said Saturday that the problem started with the
shortlisting of the candidates from nine to five.

"We demand an open and transparent explanation about the
requirement which was used (in the screening of the candidates),"
he told Antara.

Atang and dozens of lecturers on Friday visited the Academic
Senate Secretariat (SA) to make the demand as they considered the
election process undemocratic.

Last month, students and academics from the institute elected
nine candidates. In the next process on Wednesday, the 54-member
Academic Senate Secretariat (SA) shortlisted the nine candidates
to five through a secret vote. Economist Didik J. Rachbini as
well as three other candidates, Agus Pakpahan, Irawadi Djamaran
and Siswadi, which got the most votes during the previous round,
lost in the race.

They were beaten by AA Mattjik - who is also member of the SA
- Eriyatno, HM Aman Wirakartakusumah, Muhamad Achmad Chozin and
Rizal Syarief.

The institute's board of trustees will select two names, but
it has not decided when the selection process will take place,
according to Ismudi Muchsin of the SA.

Ismudi denied any irregularities in the electoral process,
saying that everything was in accordance with the procedures.

The rectorial election, which is open for candidates from
outside the campus, is being held by IPB for the first time in
its history. This is in accordance with its new status as the
state-owned incorporated entity (BHMN). In 2000 that status was
granted also to the University of Indonesia in Depok, Gadjah Mada
University in Yogyakarta and the Bandung Institute of Technology.