JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said he was happy if there were students who were critical and wanted to have a dialogue.
He emphasized that students who criticize the government are not enemies and asked the campus to facilitate them in expressing their criticisms. He conveyed this when holding a virtual dialogue with the rectors of public and private universities on Thursday, August 5.
"We have never considered critical students as enemies of the government. We also have limited time to manage the country and those who will continue us are these critical children," Mahfud said in a written statement quoted on Friday, August 6.
He reminded anyone not to silence the critical attitudes of students, lecturers, and academics. However, Mahfud reminded all parties to be responsible when conveying their thoughts.
"If there are critical people, I am happy because they represent my conscience as well," he said.
The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) also emphasized that input and criticism from various parties, including students and academics, was important. Because, this criticism is often the basis when the government takes policies related to the public interest.
"We do not reject criticism at all. If there is no criticism, it will be difficult for us to take policies in the name of the public interest," said Mahfud.
Furthermore, the rectors who were present in this virtual dialogue conveyed several things to Mahfud. One of them is about freedom of expression in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There needs to be certainty, in relation to freedom of speech and freedom of the pulpit, whether it's because they are a little vocal, because of the pandemic conditions, people are sensitive, later the problem will be with the authorities. So people are afraid to express opinions," said Rector of Muhammadiyah University of Tangerang, Ahmad Amarullah. .
Meanwhile, the Chancellor of Andalas University, Yuliandri said the main challenge for universities during the pandemic was the role of universities in supporting a conducive situation, especially the political, legal, and security aspects.
"Indeed, without us realizing it, the main obstacle is a matter of communication that has not been built properly, for example between universities and students," he said.
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