Jakarta – Higher education academics from across Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) have issued a "Salemba Call" to urge various parties to return Indonesian democracy and state administration to the right path.
There are seven points in Salemba Call. One is urging the House of Representatives (DPR) to intervene to investigate the abuse of power.
"Supporting the Indonesian DPR parliament to immediately work to carry out its function of articulating the voices of the ordinary people, conduct an open investigation of the abuse of power committed by the executive so that it can be held accountable", said Jakarta State University (UNJ) academic Ubedilah Badrun in reading out the call at the Faculty of Medicine IMERI building at the University of Indonesia (UI) in Jakarta on Thursday March 14.
The academics also urged state administrators to prepare a succession of power in a dignified and ethical way. This is in the interests of the nation and state.
The next point was on legal reform related to the necessities of life for many people, especially related to politics and elections. Then, no longer formulating laws by ignoring people's sovereignty.
The academics also urged an end to the intimidation of citizens who use their right of expression. They are of the view that many people have tried to remind the government to comply with the constitution and the rule of law.
In the fifth point, the invited the wider public to become citizens who understand and are aware of their rights. Aside from this, people must have the courage to question public policies, especially what is done by the executive so that they can be held accountable.
The Salemba Call also invited scientists in all regions to continue working hard to produce knowledge that is beneficial to the survival of the nation and state.
"By prioritising the values of ethics, morals and the noble culture that was mandated by the nation's founders", said Badrun.
The final point in the Salemba Call is to call on all components of the nation to make corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN) a common enemy.
The call was joined by a number of academics such as Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, Hafid Abbas, Franz Magnis Suseno, Akmal Taher, Bivitri Susanti, Ubedilah Badrun, Sulistyowati Irianto, Andreas Santoso and Faisal Basri.
A similar declaration was made by Gajah Mada University (UGM) academics in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta not long ago. They named the movement the "Bulaksumur Petition".
"We deplore the deviant actions that have in fact occurred during the administration of President Joko Widodo who was also part of the extended family of Gajah Mada University", read an excerpt from the Bulaksumur Petition, which was readout by UGM Faculty of Psychology professor Koentjoro in Sleman, Yogyakarta province, on Wednesday January 31. (dhf/fra)
- Academics, students criticise Jokowi over abuse of power, meddling in elections. CNN Indonesia – February 1, 2024
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Seruan Akademisi Jabodetabek: DPR Selidiki Penyalahgunaan Kekuasaan".]
