In Makassar, the Indonesian Chancellors Forum Calls for Peaceful Elections

The Indonesian Chancellors Forum calls for peaceful elections and maintaining unity within the framework of the Republic of Indonesia.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Di Makassar, Forum Rektor Indonesia Serukan Pemilu Damai

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A group of rectors who are part of the Indonesian Rectors Forum met in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Saturday (3/2/2024).

MAKASSAR, KOMPAS - The Indonesian Rector Forum, or FRI, has called for peaceful elections. In its statement, FRI also declared its refusal towards any form of provocations that may destroy unity or actions that harm democracy's festivities.

The Declaration for Safe and Peaceful Elections was read in Makassar on Saturday night (3/2/2024) during a friendly gathering at the Governor's Official Residence in South Sulawesi. This declaration contains five points and was signed by 13 rectors from various universities.

The signed parties include the rectors of Hasanuddin University, Gadjah Mada University, Padjadjaran University, Bandung Institute of Technology, Surabaya State University, Jakarta State University, Wahid Hasyim University, Mataram University, and others.

Also read: UMY Professor: Using State Facilities is a Serious Violation

Chairman of FRI, Prof. Dr. Nurhasan, stated that the call for peaceful elections is a form of support from universities in maintaining unity and integrity within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

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The Rector of Hasanuddin University, Prof Dr Jamaluddin Jompa and the Chairman of the Indonesian Rector Forum, Prof Dr Nurhasan, held a memorandum of understanding between universities on Saturday (3/2/2024) in Makassar.

"The points are to encourage all components to carry out peaceful elections, reject provocation, and counter hoaxes," he said to journalists at Unhas Campus on Saturday afternoon, before the declaration was made.

In full, the contents of this declaration are to invite all components of the nation to successfully achieve a safe and peaceful 2024 election. Rejecting all forms of provocative efforts that could divide our unity and actions that undermine the democratic process. Additionally, together we will counter fake news and hate speech that could disrupt the course of the 2024 election.

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Regarding the fourth point, citizens who have the right to vote are urged to use their right to vote according to their conscience and not abstain from voting. The final point is that campuses should maintain a conducive environment and also provide education to national components in order to create honest, fair, safe, and peaceful elections.

Also read: Campus Expresses Concern Over 2024 Election Contestation

Regarding the statement of the Unhas senior lecturers' forum on Friday (2/2/2024), Unhas Rector Prof Jamaluddin Jompa stated that it was a personal statement made by each individual.

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Hasanuddin University Rectorate, Friday (4/11/2022).

"That doesn't represent the institution. They are Unhas lecturers, but they do not speak on behalf of all Unhas lecturers. We do have academic freedom at the university, but it's always accompanied by responsibility. Therefore, anything should comply with organizational rules. If you want to use the organizational logo, it should be within the framework of the organization," he said at Unhas on Saturday afternoon.

Previously, on Friday, the forum of Unhas professors declared their commitment to save democracy. One of the important points in this declaration is to ask the president and all officials, as well as the state apparatus, to stay within the democratic corridor. They also asked the KPU, Bawaslu, and all election organizers to work professionally.

That does not represent the institution. They are Unhas lecturers, but they do not speak on behalf of all Unhas lecturers.

Information

Less than an hour after this statement was made, the Rector of Unhas issued a memorandum. The content of the memorandum contained six points, including a statement that the actions of the professor did not represent Unhas.

Six points of information request the academic community of Unhas to be actively involved in maintaining the situation and conditions, including improving the atmosphere of discussion so as not to lead to provocative and intimidating things. Freedom of expression is respected and upheld as a constitutional mandate, but diverse political choices must also be respected and appreciated.

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Several rectors signed a research cooperation agreement in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Saturday (3/2/2024).

"Despite the differences in the choices and preferences for presidential candidates, I remind everyone not to conduct smear campaigns against the candidates they do not support. Avoid spreading hoaxes and unverified news from unknown sources. Let us maintain a healthy academic atmosphere within the framework of responsible academic freedom," as stated in the statement."

The next point is to maintain campus friendships and brotherhood and maturely accept differences in political choices in a family atmosphere. As for point 6, it is clearly written that the existence of a flyer in the name of Unhas professors and lecturers to invite them to express concerns about "Saving Democracy" does not represent Unhas as an institution.