JAKARTA - The discussion activity commemorating the 1998 reform 28 years which was held at one of the University Training Center (UTC)-UNJ Building or Naraya Hotel in the Rawamangun area, East Jakarta was unilaterally canceled.
This was confirmed by UNJ Political Sociologist, Ubedilah Badrun. He said the cancellation was made on Thursday (21/5/2026) afternoon.
"Yes, we received a unilateral cancellation letter from the General Manager of Naraya," said Ubedilah when confirmed by VOI, Friday, May 22.
He added that the activity was actually attended by professors ranging from Prof. Sukidi, Prof. Otib Satibi, Prof. Anthony Budiawan, Dipo Sayria Ramli, Kusfisrdi, AW Kamal was also attended by the Chairman of BEM UNJ Ardiansysh, Chairman of the BEM of Brawijaya University Azhar Zidan, Coordinator of the BEM SI Center Muzammil, Bandung and Jakarta Student Activists.
"Including the anti-corruption figure Abraham Samad, also attended by hundreds of students and a number of leaders of activists 98," he said.
He explained, in the cancellation letter, the hotel did not accompany the explanation regarding the cancellation.
"There is only a sentence that the cancellation was due to one reason or another. Previously, through a phone call, Naraya's party said that there was another party who contacted and or called the Naraya leadership to cancel the event without mentioning who the other party was," he said.
Therefore, his party regretted the cancellation. He also questioned the party who asked the hotel to cancel the discussion.
"We regret that this incident occurred and we question who asked Naraya to cancel the 28th Anniversary of the Reform? Of course this is a sign of censorship and further damaging democracy in Indonesia," he said.
Meanwhile, the Bandung Student Executive Board and student elements expressed deep disappointment over the unilateral cancellation of the 28th Anniversary of the Reformasi agenda.
The agenda is designed as a public reflection space to commemorate the milestones of the 1998 Reformasi as well as reaffirm the reform agendas that are considered not yet fully implemented, ranging from eradicating corruption, collusion and nepotism, enforcing the rule of law, protecting democracy, to the state's bias towards the people.
However, one day before the event took place, the Naraya Hotel suddenly announced the cancellation of the use of the venue. The cancellation was considered strange because previously the committee had received confirmation of the use of the room on May 19, 2026. All technical preparations for the event had also been carried out, including participant coordination, agenda preparation, and fulfillment of administrative obligations in accordance with the agreement.
BEM and Bandung students assessed that this unilateral cancellation was not only disappointing administratively, but also injured the spirit of freedom of assembly, discussion, and expressing opinions which is one of the important mandates of the 1998 Reformasi.
"We regret the cancellation of this agenda. This activity is not a provocative activity, but a space for critical reflection for students, activists, academics, workers, farmers, and civil society to read the direction of the reform journey. When a space like this is suddenly canceled without a clear explanation, it is natural for the public to question what is behind the cancellation," said a representative of the BEM and Bandung students.
BEM and Bandung students emphasized that the cancellation was a bad precedent for democratic life. Public discussion spaces, especially those related to the history of reform, anti-corruption, democracy, social justice, and popular sovereignty, should not be narrowed down by non-transparent reasons.
"We are disappointed, but we will not stop speaking out. Reform is born from the courage of the people and students to fight against injustice. Therefore, any form of obstruction of public discussion must be fought with a critical attitude and solidarity," continued the Bandung student representative.
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