Jokowi Changes University of Indonesia Statute, YLBHI: Ari Kuncoro Is Important Actor To Smooth Omnibus Law

Chairman of YLBHI Asfinawati (Photo: Capture Youtube Screen @Haris Azhar)

JAKARTA - The Government Regulation regarding the Statute of the University of Indonesia (UI) regarding the concurrent position of the Chancellor has changed. This happened after the public criticized UI Chancellor Ari Kuncoro who served as vice president commissioner of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk.

In response to this, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) considered that the UI Statute was amended to protect Ari Kuncoro. Moreover, he is an important actor in smoothing the Omnibus Law on the Job Creation Act.

"It is clear that the direction is here and we are not surprised. Ari Kuncoro is an important actor in smoothing the omnibus law agenda (the Job Creation Law)", YLBHI Chair Asfinawati told reporters, Tuesday, July 20.

He said Ari is one of the Omnibus Law Task Forces on the Job Creation Law. His role, continued as Asfinawati, is to control the discussion of the law within the UI.

Furthermore, Asfinawati assessed that even though the UI Statute was changed, the rules would not apply retroactively. Thus, the change in fact further confirms the concurrent breach of office that has been committed.

"What should be noted is that the regulations are not retroactive. Because Ari Kuncoro was elected with the old Government Regulation (PP), this new PP has even confirmed his mistakes", she said.

Not only that, this change is proof that the government has interfered with campus independence.

"This is proof that 35 percent of the government's votes have interfered with campus independence", Asfinawati said.

Previously reported, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revised the Government Regulation (PP) on the Statute of the University of Indonesia from Government Regulation No.68/2012 changed to Government Regulation 75/2021.

One of the changes is related to the prohibition of concurrent positions for the rector and vice-chancellor.

With these changes, the Chancellor of the University of Indonesia, Ari Kuncoro, received the blessing of a concurrent position as Deputy President Commissioner of SOE.

As is known in Article 35 of PP 68/2012, the prohibition of concurrent positions of rector and vice-chancellor of UI includes:

a. officials in other education units, whether organized by the government or the community b. officials in government agencies, both central and regional; c. officials in state/regional or private enterprises; d. members of political parties or organizations affiliated with political parties; and/or e. officials in other positions who have conflicts of interest with UI.

Meanwhile, in Government Regulation No.75/2021, there is a change in point c. Where the rector and vice-chancellor are only prohibited from holding concurrent positions if they are directors of SOE.

In addition, point e related to the prohibition of holding concurrent positions in other positions that have a conflict of interest with UI in PP 68/2013 was removed in PP 75/2021.

The following is the ban on concurrent positions in the new UI Statute PP: a. structural officials at other universities, whether organized by the government or the community; b. structural officials in central and regional government agencies; c. directors of state/regional or private-owned enterprises; or d. administrators/members of political parties or organizations directly affiliated with political parties.