More than 100 professors from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) have called on national leaders to listen to the people’s voices, expressed through various means such as appeals, statements, demonstrations, and protests, to prevent political manipulation and violence that allegedly serve to entrench power.
UGM professors made this statement in response to the rapidly changing national political situation, which they believe is increasingly leading to a decline in democracy in Indonesia.
Chairman of UGM’s Board of Professors, Professor M. Baiquni, expressed concern about the current deterioration of democracy in Indonesia, marked by the weakening of law enforcement agencies such as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in combating widespread corruption, the dominance of political elites, the weakening of public oversight in government, and the neglect of reason and conscience in various development practices.
“We urge national leaders to listen to the people’s voices rejecting all forms of corruption, collusion, and nepotism, as these are incompatible with democracy and the spirit of reform,” Professor Baiquni stated when delivering the statement of over 100 UGM professors demanding the return of democracy to the sovereignty of the people, on Sunday (Aug. 25) at UGM.
Professor Wahyudi Kumorotomo, Secretary of UGM’s Board of Professors, added that the current tensions among political elites within the legislative, executive, and judicial branches demonstrate that political leaders prioritize short-term and self-serving interests over the people’s and the nation’s interests.
“National leaders should be thinking about the country’s long-term interests, especially considering that our people are still facing economic hardships and global uncertainties,” he explained.
Professor Kumorotomo also highlighted the Constitutional Court’s Decisions No. 60/PUU-XXII/2024 and No. 70/PUU-XXII/2024, which were met with reactive responses by the Legislative Body (DPR) seeking to amend the law on regional elections (Pilkada).
According to Professor Kumorotomo, this reaction illustrates how legal instruments have been turned into tools for pursuing narrow and short-term political interests while ignoring the people’s desire for dignified democracy in the country.
In this emergency, the UGM professors expressed their stance by rejecting any form of national and regional leadership elections that do not align with democratic principles and the sovereignty of the people.
They also condemned the use of political instruments involving intimidation, the deployment of state apparatus, the distribution of money and material goods, and other dishonorable methods that undermine the civilized democratic process.
“We want to push for and demand dignified and fair regional elections by proper and just legal principles,” Professor Baiquni asserted.
Additionally, the professors urged political elites not to create false legitimacy through legislation contradicting the principles of dignified democracy and the people’s sovereignty.
They emphasized that the General Elections Commission (KPU) must maintain its integrity and principles as the organizer of the regional elections, adhering strictly to constitutional agreements, including the Constitutional Court’s decisions.
Finally, the UGM professors called on all segments of society, as subjects of democracy, to consolidate and actively participate in safeguarding Indonesia’s democracy by voicing their concerns in a manner that upholds civility and avoids actions of violence that would harm the ongoing democratization process.
Among the list of more than 100 UGM professors who supported this statement are Professor Masyhuri (Faculty of Agriculture), Professor Lasiyo (Faculty of Philosophy), Professor Koentjoro (Faculty of Psychology), Professor Endang Semiarti (Faculty of Biology), Professor Ambar Pertiwiningrum (Faculty of Animal Science), Professor Wiendu Nuryanti (Faculty of Engineering), Professor Faruk (Faculty of Cultural Sciences), Professor Yodi Mahendradhata (Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing), Professor Ainun Naim (Faculty of Economics and Business), Professor Teguh Budi Pitoyo (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine), Professor Eni Harmayani (Faculty of Agricultural Technology), Professor Selo (Faculty of Engineering), and Professor Sofian Effendi (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences).
Author: Gusti Grehenson