Vocal scholar resigns in protest

SALATIGA, Central Java (JP): Scholar Arief Budiman, known for his outspokenness, announced his intention to resign from the Satyawacana Christian University in Salatiga, Central Java, in protest at the recent nomination of the rector.

"I am leaving the university because I don't see how it can maintain its image as a democratic campus," Arief said yesterday.

Arief was a staff lecturer at the university, which also counts a number of other scholars who are vocal critics of the government, including George Junus Aditjondro and Ariel Heryanto.

The foundation which owns the university early this May appointed John JOI Ihalauw as the new rector over Liek Wilardjo, who appeared to have the popular support of the other lecturers.

Arief said his protest was not aimed at the new rector. "I am angry at the foundation for making its choice of rector without taking into consideration the voices of other people in the campus," he said.

The campus has lost its reputation as a democratic institution and a champion of democracy, he said.

He noted that he turned down various jobs offers in Jakarta after obtaining his Ph.D from Harvard University in 1981 because he wanted to return to his alma mater to develop the democratic life in the campus. "But now they seem to be trampling on those very principles of democracy." (wah/05)