The Council Of Professors Of Medicine Urges The Public Not To Be Easily Provoked In The Midst Of A Demonstration

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Professor of Medicine (MGBKI) has made a statement regarding the demonstration situation that has taken place in the last few days.

The chairman of MGBKI, Prof. Dr. Dr. Budi Iman Santoso, SpOG(K), MPH, appealed to the public and students not to be easily carried away by provocations in the midst of heated conditions.

"To the public and students, it is called for to convey their aspirations in a peaceful and dignified manner, and be aware of irresponsible provocateurs," said Prof Budi from MGBKI's official statement.

Regarding the fatalities in the action, MGBKI emphasized the importance of justice for the families left behind. According to them, legal handling must be carried out honestly and transparently so that the public can get certainty.

"To medical personnel and academics, doctors, they are advised to maintain integrity, quality of service, and make scientific voices the nation's moral anchor," said Prof. Budi.

He also considered that a number of decisions and statements of officials were not in line with the aspirations of the people. According to Prof. Budi, this has triggered unrest which has eventually developed into protests in Jakarta and other cities throughout the end of August 2025.

"Policies and statements that are not in favor and that have hurt the hearts of the people are structured and co-incidental issued by both the executive authorities in the central and regional governments, as well as by the legislature and its members," he said.

"As a collection of Professors in the field of Medicine, MGBKI really feels concerned. And with a moral responsibility for our existence as part of the people and the Indonesian nation, we express this deep concern as well as a moral call," he continued.

Prof. Budi reminded the health sector to also face similar problems. In recent months, professors from various universities have expressed opinions several times, and sent letters directly to President Prabowo Subianto regarding the policy direction taken by the government.

MGBKI assesses that this policy is often made without involving academic experts or medical education experts. One of them is the polemic of collegium dualism.

According to them, the existence of the government's version of collegium should be stopped and returned to the authorities. In addition, plans to increase the production of general practitioners and specialists need to be balanced with equitable distribution and quality certainty of graduates.

"Improving the implementation of the dualism of education, specialists based on universities and hospitals, to obtain legal certainty and equitable quality of graduates by prioritizing mutual respect for communication," explained Prof. Budi.

"Stop power abuse in managing expert medical personnel and restoring the transfer of personnel with a demonstration of power and anti-criticism," he continued.

With all the inputs and criticisms submitted, MGBKI hopes that the government can open a wider space for dialogue with academics, medical personnel, and the public.

According to him, honest communication and policy preparation involving various parties will be an important step to reduce public unrest while improving health governance in Indonesia.

"MGBKI believes that true independence is only realized if this nation is healthy, fair, and dignified. Unity must be treated through dialogue, courage, and sincerity," concluded Prof. Budi.