UGM Discussion on Impeachment Scrapped Over Security Concerns

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Gadjah Mada University (UGM)'s Law Faculty’s constitutional law society on Friday announced the discussion on a supposed presidential impeachment had been canceled due to security reasons. 

The discussion, which is officially entitled “Straightening the Issue of Presidential Impeachment Under a Constitutional System”, was scheduled to be held today. 

UGM Law Faculty Dean Sigit Riyanto confirmed to Tempo in a text message that the cancellation “was due to safety concerns.”

According to him, the concerns involve an alleged terror aimed at one of the discussion’s key speakers,  Ni'matul Huda, a Constitutional Law Professor of the Indonesia Islamic University.

Sigit revealed that Huda was unable to be contacted last night due to an alleged hacking but was able to be contacted this morning. There was also information that the professor had been receiving threats. 

Sigit Riyanto previously maintained the discussion would be continued even if it had to be moved from its initial platform, Zoom. 

The dean maintained there was nothing wrong about discussing presidential impeachment as long as it did not violate any law, as the discussion was held in the scientific and academic spirits and far from political motives, let alone treason. 

UGM Post Graduate Faculty of Engineering lecturer Bagas Pujilaksono Widyakanigara previously slammed the discussion, arguing that discussing an impeachment scenario could be seen as treason, against which the government should take stern action.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI