UI Bans Republic Conference After Prabowo-Rectors' Sarasehan
The organising committee of the Republic Conference, Jaleswari Pramodhawardhani, has noted a tendency of government intervention following the University of Indonesia’s (UI) sudden ban on the National Consolidation of the Republic Conference at the UI Salemba Campus, Central Jakarta, on Sunday, 28 June 2026.
This suspicion arises because UI had previously permitted the campus to be used as a venue for the conference. “I will not speak to that directly. But that tendency exists (government intervention) because initially, UI was very welcoming,” she stated at the UI Salemba Campus.
UI abruptly prohibited the Republic Conference at the Salemba Campus, citing that the committee failed to meet administrative procedures. However, Jaleswari countered this, stating, “In fact, we have fulfilled the procedures.”
On Wednesday, 24 June 2026, UI had issued a formal letter of assignment permitting the use of campus facilities. “We interpreted the letter as being accepted,” she added.
Three members of the Republic Conference committee suggested that the change in UI leadership’s stance occurred after President Prabowo Subianto delivered a briefing to university rectors during an event titled ‘National Insight Session: Strategies for Economic Independence and Indonesian Welfare’ at JCC, Senayan, on Friday, 26 June 2026.
During that event, President Prabowo delivered a five-hour briefing, though the session was moved behind closed doors after the first 30 minutes.
Two committee members, who are aware of the reasons behind the prohibition, claimed that Prabowo requested rectors to ensure the campus remained secure.
Jaleswari believes the public will inevitably link this cancellation to the meeting between Prabowo and the rectors, perceiving an order to maintain stability. “There is a restriction, there is a cancellation; whoever it is, people will inevitably think this is part of that order. In the name of stability, in the name of security, in the name of development,” she said.
Another committee member stated that the UI Rector received numerous calls from various parties, including the State Palace, requesting that UI reconsider granting permission for the event.
Razaan Bayu Rachman, a student representative on the University of Indonesia’s Board of Trustees, confirmed that UI had been contacted multiple times by external parties, though he could not identify them or confirm if they explicitly requested the ban. “Specifically, they did not request such a thing. But it was implicit. I suspect external parties are uneasy because the event is seen as a mass consolidation with strong political elements,” he said at the Salemba Campus.
He noted that he had communicated with UI Rector Heri Hermansyah prior to the event. According to Rachmaan, Heri did not explicitly ban the conference but raised questions due to the high volume of inquiries from external sources.
However, as the Rector was scheduled to be abroad, he could not oversee the situation directly. Consequently, Rachmaan suspects external intervention. “I want to emphasise that there was no intervention from the university itself, but rather from external parties towards UI.”
Regarding this matter, UI Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs, Erwin Agustian Panigar, stated that UI is currently preparing a formal response. Meanwhile, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has yet to respond.
Despite the sudden ban on the ‘Republic Conference: A Path to Reorganising the Republic’ event, the committee has decided to proceed with the conference via Zoom at 13:00 WIB.
The General Secretary of the Republic Conference Committee, Yanuar Nugroho, stated that the consolidation will discuss the movement’s foundations, including values, goals, and direction. Furthermore, the national consolidation will establish the organisational structure, networks, and operational methods, as well as discuss leadership and civil coordination to ensure effective communication without monopoly.