FSGI Asks The Ministry Of Education And Culture To Intervene Regarding The Dismissal Of Novi Sukatani

The news of the dismissal of the Sukatani band vocalist, Novi Citra Indriyati, due to a song allegedly insinuating police officers was responded to by the Federation of Indonesian Teachers' Unions (FSGI) who criticized the action of the IT Mutiara Hati Elementary School.

In his statement, FSGI conveyed several important points related to this news. The first is about the rules for dismissing teachers as regulated in the law.

"Fire the teacher, there is a mechanism that regulates the provisions by the laws and regulations, namely Law 14/2005 on teachers and lecturers. PP 74/2007 on teachers and there is Permendikbudristek. About teacher protection. For private teachers, the Manpower Law is also used," said FSGI quoted by VOI from a media broadcast, Sunday, February 23.

Furthermore, FSGI also reminded about the rights of teachers who are free to express themselves and work. Seeing the issue of Novi's dismissal, FSGI suspected that the school was under pressure from certain parties.

"Teachers are also citizens whose rights are guaranteed by the Indonesian constitution for expression, opinion, and work, so dismissal (can be strongly suspected of being forced to resign because schools also feel pressured) is clearly arbitrary and strongly suspected of violating existing laws and regulations," he continued.

FSGI revealed that they are ready to support Novi if the issue of dismissal is true.

"If it is true that the dismissal was due to the right to express in the song Pay Pay Pay, then FSGI criticized the dismissal and called for support for the return of Novi's rights as a teacher. Especially if his duties as a teacher are carried out properly and professionally, while his activities of working do not interfere with performance at all,"

Therefore, FSGI also conveyed suggestions related to this case including requests for protection from the police to Novi.

"Freedom of expression is the right of every citizen, so it is only natural for the state to intervene to protect its citizens," he continued.

"FSGI asks the Ministry of Education and the local education office to defend the person concerned because he is a teacher. FSGI urges the police to provide pressureless protection to the teacher," he said.