Palace Says Academia Criticisms Against Jokowi A 'Deliberate Orchestration'

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinator for Presidential Special Staff Ari Dwipayana said the current stream of criticism from academic institutions against President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his administration is a deliberate orchestration for electoral interest.

"The strategy of partisan politics is allowed in political contestation," Ari said in a brief text on Friday, adding his preference that the the strategy is better established in substantive dialogue and a healthy debate.

A group of lecturers, professors, alumni, and active students of Gajah Mada University convened on Wednesday to call for a Bulaksumur Petition. According to the group, unlawful conduct occurred during Jokowi's administration.

These include the ethical violation at the Constitutional Court, the involvement of law enforcers in the democratic process ahead of the general elections, and Jokowi's statement on how presidents and ministers are allowed to campaign.

A day after UGM's call, the faculty of Islam University of Indonesia or UII, gathered in Sleman, Yogyakarta, led by the university's rector, Prof. Fathul Wahid, expressed their criticism against Jokowi's administration. 

One of their criticisms was of Gibran Rakabuming Raka's candidacy in the upcoming general elections. The president's son only passed the requirement to run, thanks to a Constitutional Court decision lowering the age limit of presidential candidates. The decision was deemed as a grave ethical violation.

On Friday, the University of Indonesia staged a "Call of Statehood" against President Jokowi's administration. In a written statement on behalf of the entire campus faculty, the University of Indonesia expressed its regret over the collapse of the legal system and democracy in the country.

The faculty condemned all forms of repression of freedom of expression. The group also called for the neutrality of state apparatus and the right to vote without intimidation. 

Jokowi claimed that he did not mind the critics. "Everybody is allowed to speak up. They are welcome to express their opinion," he said on Friday in North Jakarta.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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