Inviting Hundreds of Chancellors to the Palace, President Affirms He Is Not Anti-Criticism As Long As…

President Prabowo Subianto invited hundreds of rectors from public and private universities to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (13/3/2025). The utilization of resources and several government priority programs became the focus of the discussion.

The gathering for social bonding and breaking the fast together, held in the central courtyard of the State Palace and Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, lasted for four hours. Starting at 4:30 PM, university rectors and campus leaders from various regions listened to President Prabowo Subianto's directives inside a giant tent that has been in use since the inauguration of regional heads in February 2025.

In addition to being attended by the President and university leaders, the event was attended by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, as well as the President's Special Advisor on Hajj Affairs Muhadjir Effendi.

Brian Yuliarto explained that 184 rectors from universities across Indonesia were present. They consisted of 124 rectors from public universities, 40 representatives of rectors from private universities, 18 rectors from religious universities, as well as representatives from higher education service institutions (LLDT).

The President, in the opening of his remarks, stated that he would explain what has been, is being, and will be done by the government over the next five years. The dynamics of the global situation were also mentioned as one of the topics to be addressed. Following this explanation, the meeting was declared closed to the public.

A few hours before the meeting took place, the President, who attended the event "Launch of the New Mechanism for Distributing Regional ASN Teacher Allowances" at the Office of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon, also briefly mentioned this meeting. He stated that he would discuss plans to eradicate hunger and poverty with university rectors. He also reminded that there should no longer be individuals who unlawfully reduce the rights of the people.

"Indonesia is bright, and we will manage it well. Develop our campuses so that they truly serve the people. Be vigilant, do not let our students be incited," said Prabowo.

Met after the meeting, the Chancellor of Padjajaran University, Bandung, Arief Sjamsulaksan Kartasasmita, revealed that the President said that Indonesia has various resources that can be utilized to improve the welfare of the people. The President also emphasized that Indonesia is in a good situation. Despite many challenges at the national and global levels, the existing natural and human resources can be used to achieve prosperity.

Although Indonesia is said to be doing well, Arief said, it does not mean that the President is not open to criticism from campuses. "The President emphasized that criticism is allowed, but it must be based on data," he said.

The same thing was also conveyed by the Rector of the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB University) Arif Satria. He confirmed that throughout the meeting the President explained the challenges faced by Indonesia. However, all parties must be optimistic because the government has a strategy to deal with it.

The President emphasized that criticism is allowed, but it must be based on data.

The meeting between the President and campus leaders took place several weeks after the rampant demonstrations of Dark Indonesia were launched by students in various regions. In the series of demonstrations, students criticized a number of government policies, including the fat cabinet structure, to indications of the return of the dual function of ABRI as in the New Order era.

Stay independent

Lecturer of Indonesian Law College Jentera Bivitri Susanti saw that the arrival of the rectors was a form of respect for the invitation from President Prabowo. However, she reminded the campus to maintain its independence instead of being controlled by the government. That way, the campus can maintain academic freedom in voicing the truth.

In a democratic country, campus independence is important. Because, the campus has a sufficient moral basis to voice the truth. However, in Indonesia, academic freedom in higher education is feared to be repressed by the government considering that the government has a role in determining the rector.

"Freedom of expression is protected by the constitution. So, the basis is the constitution and the truth because the responsibility of science is to state the truth. This should not be mixed up with educational administration," he added.

Lecturer of Constitutional Law at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Herlambang Perdana Wiratraman reminded that in recent times, pressure on the academic world has also been real. This was especially the case during the 2024 Presidential Election. There were indications of repression against lecturers who were critical or actively expressed ideas on political or legal issues.

Now, Herlambang said, indications of repression have re-emerged from budget cuts that have an impact on the academic community. For example, the Kemendiktisaintek research fund that has long been socialized has now been canceled without explanation. Budget cuts have also had an impact on cutting library access hours and access to quality journals.

In addition, co-optation can also occur with offers of positions, positions, or projects to the campus. The campus sometimes even offers itself first.

"Freedom of expression has become an expensive commodity, including academic freedom," he said.

Therefore, Herlambang is worried that the meeting between the President and the rectors will only be a ceremony without any firm and straightforward criticism. Worse still, generally the rectors are often more repressive towards students who are critical. This is considered to weaken democracy and have an impact on the making of anti-science policies.