“They say there is freedom of learning, independent campus, how come fair demonstrations are prohibited?”

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The National Coordinator of the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) Ubaid Matraji assessed that the call issued by the Director General of Higher Education (Dikti) for students not to participate in demonstrations against the Employment Creation Law is disturbing the independence of students.

“The appeal has crossed the line, disturbing the freedom and independence of students on campus. He said freedom to study, he said the campus was independent, why are demonstrations banned? Where is the independence?” Ubaid when contacted. Kompas.com, Monday (12/10/2020).

Ubaid said, even with the reason for the Covid-19 pandemic, he considered that Higher Education should not issue this appeal.

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Because opinion is a student’s right and is guaranteed by the constitution.

According to him, the campus is the engine of change, the appeal is seen as a way to silence students.

In addition, this is a university institution that must be the engine of social change. Students are a critical group in this country. If they are silenced, we will return to the era of the New Order, “Ubaid said.

Previously, the Ministry of Education and Culture, through the General Director of Higher Education, issued an appeal for students not to participate in demonstrations against the Employment Creation Law.

The appeal is listed in letter number 1035 / E / KM / 2020 on online learning and socialization of the Job Creation Act.

The letter was signed by the Director General for Higher Education, Kemendikbud Nizam.

In the letter, Nizam expects teachers to conduct online learning and monitor attendance and increase student learning interactions online.

He also asked students not to participate in demonstrations against the Job Creation Law because it would endanger safety.

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Nizam also asked teachers and students to socialize the contents of the Employment Creation Law and promote objective academic studies of the Law.

“The results of campus thoughts and aspirations should be conveyed to the Government and DPR through existing mechanisms in a polite manner,” said Nizam.