During the New Order Era, universities were sterilized — or “normalized”, as it was called back then — from political activities in the wake of outbursts of protests by critical students.
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During the New Order Era, universities were sterilized — or “normalized”, as it was called back then — from political activities in the wake of outbursts of protests by critical students.
Nevertheless, in the years leading to the dawn of the Reform Era, university students were still leading street protests all over the country. Indeed, this has always been one of the defining dynamics of Indonesian universities: our students have never stayed silent in times when political developments are seemingly going against the interests of the people. On the other hand, academics are also urged to continuously produce high-quality research.
It is in this ideal context of developing democracy and a scientific life that we are shocked by the arrest of three alleged terrorists at the University of Riau (Unri) in Pekanbaru by the National Police’s Densus 88 counterterrorism squad on Saturday (2/6/2018) (Kompas, 3/6/2018).
The three alleged terrorists are reportedly alumni of the university, having graduated between 2002 and 2005 from three different study programs. Densus 88 also seized high-grade pipe bombs, explosive powder, air rifles, bows and arrows.
We have read several times in the past how universities are fertile breeding grounds for radical views. However, this was the first time the authorities went inside college grounds to raid a campus facility and detain people.
We hope the incident at Unri will reaffirm college authorities’ pledge to safeguard their institutions from the penetration of radical views.
Indeed, this latest incident means more work for universities’ managements, apart from the need to impose stricter monitoring to curb narcotics distribution. Furthermore, universities are also facing challenges posed by technological advancements, such as online-based remote education and other disruptions. We must also not forget that the Industrial Revolution 4.0 demands universities revise their curriculum to keep up with the times.
In this all-new environment, it is understandable that there are increasing concerns that universities are becoming breeding grounds for radical views and recruiting terrorists. This is a real challenge the universities\' management must respond to urgently.
These concerns are not baseless. On the one hand, universities are indeed breeding grounds for rational and scientific thinking where all forms of ideas can blossom. On the other hand, however, it is worrying when certain ideologies make their way into untrained minds without an adequate understanding of politics.
In the future, the strengthening of understanding of Pancasila values and a habituation of nationhood ideas must be done in universities. Campus managements must also keep their eyes and ears on all activities within their grounds, especially those related to the use of campus facilities and labs.
There may be a dilemma here between the provision of freedom and a curbing of it. However, at a time when the country is being undermined by terror threats, certain policies must be seriously upheld to prevent any unwanted incidents.