TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Member of the Indonesian Caucus for Academic Freedom (KIKA), Rina Mardiana, drew parallels between the recent suspension of the Student Executive Body (BEM) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Airlangga University (Unair) and the authoritarian era of Soeharto. This suspension was taken in response to a satirical flower arrangement created by BEM FISIP Unair for President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

“When I see a situation like this, it reminds me of the Soeharto era,” Rina said during KIKA's online discussion titled "Observing Academic Freedom in the New Government Era?" on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

Rina argued that the pressure on critical thinking and expression indicates a decline in academic freedom on campus.

The lecturer at Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) suggested that the suspension of BEM is a consequence of President Prabowo’s statement urging those who disagree with his government to refrain from interfering.

“People who don’t want to cooperate, don’t interfere,” Prabowo said during a National Coordination Meeting of the National Mandate Party (PAN) at the JS Luwansa Hotel, South Jakarta on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Rina believes this statement has led to a domino effect, influencing higher education institutions to align themselves with the government. However, she emphasized the crucial role of academics in critically examining and evaluating government policies.

Tuffahati Ulayyah, the President of BEM FISIP Unair, confirmed the suspension, attributing it directly to the controversial flower arrangement. The arrangement, which featured satirical labels and messages, was widely circulated on social media.

Unair FISIP Dean Bagong Suyanto has scheduled a meeting with BEM FISIP Unair on Monday, October 28, 2024, to discuss the matter further.

Hanaa Septiana and Sultan Abdurrahman contributed to the writing of this article.

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