These include the limited time of demographic bonus, the impact of climate change, the global economic slowdown, the threat of new pandemics, and disruptions caused by artificial intelligence.

In response to these challenges, the director-general urged universities to collaborate with industries and communities to support the government’s programs in ensuring the success of national development. 

“Our goal is to create an ecosystem that allows the community to experience the results of research and innovation from universities,” he said at the national workshop and sharing session titled “Synergy of Law Faculties: The Role of Sustainable Community Service” held at the UGM Faculty of Law (FH UGM), Thursday (Feb. 6).

Dr. Adziman then explained the priority programs and plans that the president and vice president are currently developing through Asta Cita. 

He emphasized that government programs and innovations developed by universities should reach and benefit the public.

He explained that the ministry no longer focuses on product-based research but has shifted toward challenge-based research, encouraging multidisciplinary interactions to solve societal problems. 

Research topics include artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, food and health technologies, transportation and infrastructure, advanced materials, and nanotechnology. He highlighted that current contributions are focused on solving social and socio-economic problems. 

“We can contribute, and the community can express what is needed,” Dr. Adziman hoped.

The Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni of UGM, Dr. Arie Sujito, said universities have an obligation to engage in community service in addition to providing education and conducting research. 

This is reinforced by Law No. 20 of 2003 on the National Education System, which mandates implementing and realizing the tri-dharma for universities. 

“I hope education’s mission is to enlighten the nation; therefore, ideally, the research results we have and the teaching supported by practical activities based on experience should inspire and provide benefits,” he stated.

He further explained that downstream is not only focused on industries but also on skills and knowledge gained to address issues in society. 

As a result, the social sciences and humanities, particularly law, can ensure that education, teaching, practice, and research can benefit society as a shared responsibility.

Furthermore, Dr. Sujito emphasized that universities can never be neutral because they are always grounded in human values, justice, and welfare. 

This is where law plays its role as a tool to translate the vision of community service to address societal issues. 

“Law should not make people fearful but rather bring them closer,” he concluded.

The Secretary of the UGM Directorate of Community Service, Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, presented the achievements of UGM’s community service activities conducted through DPKM. One form of this service is carried out through the Community Service Program (KKN). 

“Primarily, it is the implementation of KKN, community service at Universitas Gadjah Mada, which has been initiated since 1971 and, to this day, remains a compulsory course at the university,” he explained.

Dr. Santosa added that every year, UGM sends an average of around 8,900 students across Indonesia, with the distribution covering 35 provinces, over 100 regencies, and more than 500 villages nationwide. 

“We also focus on border areas,” he said.

In implementing work programs, Dr. Santosa mentioned that KKN activities are directed to use research methods, even if simple. 

He also explained that the directorate publishes a community service journal four times yearly. 

“Community service activities can be turned into research,” Dr. Santosa added.

As a form of service, KKN aims to benefit communities so that the region or community becomes more independent. 

Dr. Santosa explained that to achieve this, the directorate employs strategies to improve community quality, which include interdisciplinarity, broad impact, program downstream, partnership models, thoroughness and sustainability, research-based approaches, and outcome-based approaches. 

“Coordination, collaboration, and publication are key,” he concluded.

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He stressed the need for justice and fairness in governance.

“The most relevant thing right now is that we need to build public welfare through democratic politics and governance, which does not act arbitrarily and upholds law and justice based on the principle of equality before the law and government,” said Professor Mahfud during the Diversity Dialogue held in commemoration of the 79th Anniversary of UGM’s Faculty of Law (FH UGM), Wednesday (Feb. 5), at the Auditorium B of FH UGM.

Professor Mahfud highlighted the current generation’s difficulties in finding jobs or business opportunities due to the persistent practices of corruption, collusion, and nepotism. 

“If you want to apply for a government job but don’t have connections, you get sidelined. If you want to apply to the police, they ask for money. You’re reported for slander when you don’t pass and ask for your money back. You could even go to prison,” Professor Mahfud said.

Additionally, he pointed out how young people struggle to obtain business permits due to complicated bureaucracy. 

“Young entrepreneurs or startups go to Singapore or Dubai for permits instead of to the government. They get it in one day. Of course, the taxes go there. In our own country, we face discrimination and unfair treatment, weakening unity,” he explained.

According to Professor Mahfud, the strength of corruption, collusion, and nepotism can weaken the spirit of unity and patriotism among the younger generation, especially since they are not participants in the independence struggle. 

The sense of nationalism and love for the homeland is vastly different from that of the freedom fighters. 

“We didn’t participate in the war. The historical actors are almost gone. The current generation communicates with Western ideas. Therefore, this new generation has new needs that a pro-people government must meet,” he said.

Professor Mahfud emphasized that unity among all elements of society is a key factor in Indonesia’s success in building a sovereign nation. 

All layers of Indonesian society are responsible for maintaining diversity. This approach will create social justice. Therefore, differences based on primordial ties such as race, ethnicity, and region should no longer be divisive for Indonesia. 

After all, the success of the Golden Indonesia program in 2045 also greatly depends on the country’s stability.

Meanwhile, Father Alexius A. Binawan stated that the state plays a vital role in maintaining tolerance among fellow citizens from various races, ethnicities, cultures, and religions through respect, treatment, and recognition.

Dr. Dahliana Hasan, Dean of FH UGM, noted that the Diversity Dialogue was part of the faculty’s 79th anniversary celebration. 

“This anniversary opens with a diversity dialogue. The faculty itself reflects diversity, as its lecturers and staff come from different regions with different religions. At the very least, we aim to foster diversity through tolerance and humanity, which can contribute better to society, the nation, and the country,” she concluded.

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If not executed carefully, it could impact the national economy by lowering public purchasing power, creating investment uncertainty, limiting job creation, and reducing labor productivity.

Dr. Akhmad Akbar Susamto, a lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), warned the government about the macroeconomic effects of these budget cuts. 

He emphasized that cutting funds, especially in productive sectors like essential infrastructure, education, and health, could hinder long-term economic growth. 

“These sectors have a significant multiplier effect on the economy. If budget cuts are not done selectively, they can negatively affect public investment, job creation, and labor productivity,” Dr. Susamto said on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

In addition to economic growth, social stability and public welfare may also be impacted. 

Social programs related to protection, subsidies, or assistance for vulnerable groups should not be the main targets for budget cuts. 

“If cuts are too aggressive in these sectors, public purchasing power could decline, reducing domestic consumption and slowing economic recovery,” he explained.

Dr. Susamto noted that if the economic recovery slows, the sustainability of fiscal policy will heavily influence investor perceptions of investing in Indonesia. 

Therefore, budget cuts should be accompanied by clear strategies to maintain economic stability. 

“We must avoid creating uncertainty among businesses. Investors and the private sector need reassurance that the government remains committed to policies that support economic growth,” he stated.

Dr. Susamto agreed that the current budget cuts under the Prabowo-Gibran administration are necessary to maintain economic stability. 

Budget reductions for fiscal efficiency are understandable, especially in light of the unhealthy fiscal situation due to large deficits and increased funding needs for priority programs like MBG and to avoid excessive pressure on government debt.

However, he cautioned that the policy must be implemented carefully to avoid reducing the national economy’s long-term capacity. 

“What’s more important is ensuring that every rupiah of the available budget is used optimally to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” he concluded.

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Some believe removing the threshold would ensure representation for all parties in parliament.

Meanwhile, others, including those in the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), argue that having more parties could negatively affect the effectiveness of parliamentary work.

Alfath Bagus Panuntun, an expert on politics and government from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), highlighted that the debate centers on two main aspects: democratic inclusivity and government effectiveness.

Panuntun explained that proponents of removing the threshold argue that the votes of smaller parties that fail to reach the 4% threshold are wasted and left unrepresented in parliament. 

“If we calculate it, the votes discarded from smaller parties could reach a significant percentage,” he said on Wednesday, Feb 5, 2025.

On the other hand, Panuntun acknowledged the concerns of those in the DPR who opposed the removal. 

He noted that a higher number of parties would make managing diverse political interests more challenging, potentially affecting the effectiveness of DPR operations. 

“More parties would increase the workload related to faction management, task distribution, and overall DPR performance,” he explained.

Panuntun pointed out that the 4% threshold is not arbitrary but a compromise between democratic inclusivity and government effectiveness. 

“Previously, the threshold was 3.5%, but it was raised to 4% in the 2017 Electoral Law revision. This figure aims to balance political representation with governmental stability,” he said.

He argued that maintaining or even increasing the parliamentary threshold could help clarify party ideologies. 

“With a higher threshold, political parties need to have clear ideologies and programs. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to differentiate one party from another,” Panuntun added.

However, Panuntun noted that the general public does not place much importance on the threshold itself. 

“What matters is that the DPR functions properly, remains open to criticism, and genuinely works for the people,” he stated.

He emphasized that the DPR’s effectiveness should be a top priority. 

The legislative process and government oversight could run more smoothly with fewer, more structured parties. 

“We must avoid a situation where the system serves the interests of politicians rather than the people,” he stressed.

In conclusion, Panuntun reiterated that every policy has its pros and cons. 

However, in the context of Indonesia, he believes it is better to maintain or even raise the parliamentary threshold to improve government effectiveness. 

“This policy should be based on the current needs of the public. If we want an effective DPR, then the current threshold should be maintained or increased,” he concluded.

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This incident raises major questions regarding human rights protection and the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia.

International human rights observer Professor Dafri Agussalim from the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM) considered the Malaysian authorities’ actions in this incident excessive and violated international human rights law. 

“The actions of the Malaysian authorities can be categorized as a violation of international law, especially regarding human rights,” he said on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.

Regarding the steps Indonesia must take, Professor Agussalim emphasized that the government should not stop at merely filing an official protest with Malaysia but also carry out systemic improvements at home. 

“This should not only end with compensation and punishment later on. Beyond that, both countries need to revisit the mechanisms for protecting migrant workers to ensure that similar incidents do not continue to occur,” he said. 

He also highlighted the importance of revising and enforcing bilateral agreements regarding the protection of Indonesian workers in Malaysia. 

According to him, there are ASEAN-level protocols that regulate migrant worker protection, but their implementation has been far from ideal. 

“Many regulations are already in place but are not effectively enforced in practice. This issue should prompt Indonesia to seriously reflect on how it handles illegal migration flows,” he said.

Professor Agussalim urged that the resolution of this case should not be partial but instead approached systematically, covering legal, economic, and social aspects. 

The country cannot just press Malaysia without addressing its own internal issues. 

With this incident, Indonesia faces a major task—demanding justice for the victims, reforming labor policies, and strengthening protections for migrant workers to prevent such tragedies from recurring. 

“This is not just a shooting case but a major issue reflecting a systemic failure in managing Indonesia’s workforce. Eradicate this crime at its roots and establish clear bilateral relations capable of protecting citizens,” he explained.

He noted that the phenomenon of illegal migrant workers entering Malaysia is not solely due to Malaysian policies but also stems from a combination of factors, namely push factors from within Indonesia and pull factors from the destination country. 

“One of the main factors is the Indonesian government’s failure to provide adequate employment opportunities. If there were jobs in Indonesia with decent wages, people would not take such great risks by working illegally abroad,” he stressed.

On the other hand, Malaysia attracts migrant workers because it offers higher wages than Indonesia. 

This situation is worsened by the role of brokers and labor trafficking syndicates, which act as an intermediary or third factor in the chain of illegal migration. 

“This is a crime that has long been known. However, there are indications of state neglect or ignorance,” he said.

According to Professor Agussalim, irregular migrant workers often fall into illegal recruitment schemes. 

They are promised decent jobs but must pay a significant amount to brokers in both Indonesia and Malaysia. 

“This business chain is very long, with many parties profiting from the situation. Unfortunately, to date, Indonesia has not shown firmness in dealing with these broker networks,” he explained.

He emphasized that the Indonesian government cannot simply react after a shooting occurs. 

Efforts to prevent and take action against networks that traffic Indonesian citizens are still weak and need to be eradicated.

In addition, he highlighted the government’s role in enforcing laws and protecting its citizens. 

He compared it with other countries that manage their labor force more effectively so that their citizens do not need to seek risky employment abroad. 

“Have we ever heard of citizens from neighboring countries like Australia or Singapore having to work illegally in other countries? No. That’s because their governments are able to provide decent jobs for their citizens. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, migrant workers are often called ‘foreign exchange heroes,’ when in fact it should be the state’s responsibility to ensure their welfare,” he stressed.

As reported, the shooting of five Indonesian migrant workers was carried out by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in the waters of Tanjung Rhu, Selangor, Malaysia, on Jan. 24. 

The workers were attempting to leave Malaysia by boat.

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Organized by Yogyakarta’s cultural figures and artists, this symposium also marked the completion of Hilmar Farid’s term as Director General of Culture from 2015 to 2024, elaborating on his contributions to cultural work. 

The symposium served as a space for reflection on the achievements and lessons from previous cultural efforts and was an important step in determining the strategic direction of Indonesia’s culture in the future.

The event was attended by Yogyakarta Governor and King of the Yogyakarta Palace, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Hilmar Farid (Director General of Culture 2015-2024), cultural figure Butet Kartaredjasa, artist Nasirun, and many others. Several speakers also presented their reflections on culture.

On this occasion, Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X expressed his thoughts on a new Indonesian culture, which should be progressive and civilized. 

“Indonesia must be able to prosper, advance, and bring justice to all its people, from generation to generation,” said the Sultan.

He highlighted the urgency of building a visionary culture through the concept of the New Indonesian Culture, which intertwines with the grand idea of archipelagicism. 

He explained that this concept connects traditional roots with the energy of renewal for the future of the nation, a vision that combines local wisdom with the dynamics of the times for the benefit of the Indonesian people. 

“In this context, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika should not just be a slogan but a cultural strategy that is translated into public policies,” emphasized the Sultan.

According to him, history has taught that living in multiculturalism, with tolerance and mutual respect, can be a source of progress. In Spain, Andalusia was a symbol of harmonious coexistence between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

Knowledge and culture flourished at that time because everyone learned from other cultures. History also shows that the integration of various cultures and nations is inevitable in the history of Nusantara.

The Sultan also discussed cultural plurality, emphasizing the great benefits when cultural plurality becomes intertwined, creating a reciprocal cultural richness. 

“Beyond that, we will also be able to carry out development plans with as little distortion, suspicion, and misunderstanding as possible,” he explained.

In the Sultan’s view, the New Indonesian Culture is a vision of a progressive and civilized Indonesia. Indonesia must be able to prosper, advance, and bring justice to all its people, from generation to generation. 

All of this must be developed from values that flow through society’s veins.’ Forgetting ethnic and cultural values and indigenous communities will only result in an Indonesia that grows without soul or identity. 

“In the end, we will not achieve constructive, visionary, anticipatory, progressive, critical, and sustainable cultural development,” he added.

In addition to the cultural oration from Sri Sultan, other cultural figures and artists also delivered their orations. 

Nirwan Dewanto reminded the audience of the meaning of archipelagicism as a productive movement that builds. Other speakers included Charles Toto, Titah AW, Afrizal Malna, Premana W. Premadi, Bambang Sugiharto, Farah Wardani, and Nia Dinata.

The formulation team for the Arkipelagis: Cultural Reflection Symposium outlined several key points in a forum that lasted until the afternoon. 

One of the points made was that supporting and improving cultural work in Indonesia is just as important as preserving or advancing cultural sites. 

It is important to rebuild contextual awareness of traditional knowledge as a relevant solution to addressing today’s sustainable development challenges.

Cultural funding should be expanded to include cultural journalism to bridge public awareness of arts and culture issues and strengthen the dialogue between society, cultural actors, and policymakers. 

The advancement of culture must be based on inter-material perspectives, non-violence, and inclusivity.

The urgency of a cultural strategy must always be emphasized. Specifically, this means formulating a direction for culture. 

Indonesia’s cultural direction, with archipelagic awareness, will strive to avoid the trap of merely reinforcing identity and instead pursue improving the quality of its culture, expanding cultural indicators, and seeking positionality in the world through cultural diplomacy.

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The visit, led by UGM Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, along with members of Commissions 1 and 2 of UGM’s Academic Senate (SA), was welcomed by Pacitan Regent Indrata Nur Bayuaji and local government officials on Tuesday (Jan. 21).

During the visit, discussions focused on development issues in Pacitan Regency. Several challenges remain in Pacitan’s efforts to improve the welfare of its residents. 

The region’s geographic advantages and natural tourism potential have not yet been fully optimized. Therefore, the Pacitan Regency Government is open to UGM experts advancing development, particularly in the tourism sector.

Indrata Nur Bayuaji noted that the relationship with UGM has been positive. One indicator of this is the large number of Pacitan government employees who are UGM graduates. 

“Our target is for some to pursue doctoral programs at UGM. There’s still much work to be done in Pacitan, as reflected by our geographic conditions. The arrival of UGM experts and KKN students is certainly very helpful for the Pacitan Regency Government,” he said.

Bayuaji believes that the current era is one of collaborative work. Building Pacitan, he said, requires input from various sources. 

“To develop Pacitan, we need input from Pacitan residents and everyone. Collaborative work is key, and we are open to contributions from anyone,” he added.

Dr. Sujito mentioned that KKN PPM UGM has been implemented in 35 provinces across Indonesia. Issues usually need to be addressed in each KKN location. 

KKN PPM in Pacitan has been ongoing since 2018, and the student placements in Punung District have varied. 

“Thank you for the warm reception from the community. The Pacitan local government has received KKN well,” he explained.

He added that in every KKN implementation, UGM collaborates with alumni and both public and private local universities. UGM’s principle in conducting KKN is to collaborate with various stakeholders. 

“We present programs such as strengthening the creative economy (MSMEs), developing local potential, and in this area, focusing on geopark development, updating regional data, and more,” he explained.

Dr. Sujito hopes that through KKN, UGM students can identify village potential that is aligned with the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD). 

He also hopes that the Pacitan Regency Government will assist UGM students, enabling them to discuss theories and understand the reality on the ground. 

“The work done by UGM students is expected to empower the community. We extend our thanks to the regent and the SKPD team, as past experiences have shown that the growing development of rural communities encourages UGM to continuously collaborate,” he said.

Professor T. Yoyok Wahyu Subroto from UGM’s Academic Senate Commission 1 highlighted the significant potential of Pacitan Regency, which should be developed more optimally. 

He hopes that tourism development in the area can become a pillar of economic growth, particularly in Pacitan Regency and East Java Province as a whole. 

“Pacitan Regency needs to develop a Regional Tourism Development Master Plan (Ripparda). This is essential as a guide for tourism development. UGM has many experts and a Center for Tourism Studies that can assist with this,” he explained.

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Addressing this issue, Mumtaz Khan Chopan captures the stories of these immigrants through art. 

During a parallel session of The 20th International Association for the Study of Forced Migration Conference 2025 on Wednesday (Jan. 22) at UGM’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM), Chopan shared how his work is based on his personal experience as an immigrant.

His work in the Museum of Shredded Memories explores the emotional situations experienced by forced immigrant groups—those who were forced to leave their homeland when their country became uninhabitable. 

Chopan managed to assemble various relics of immigrants, such as destroyed documents, photographs, and abandoned clothing, into an installation that illustrates the horrors and trauma of immigrants. 

“I capture their journey memories of moving from one place to another. I made it as chaotic as possible to depict the disorder of the situation,” Chopan explained.

He described an unforgettable feeling shared by nearly all immigrants—the feeling of insecurity, constantly needing shelter, and having to forget everything except their own and their families’ lives. 

They were forced to leave their birthplace, separated from relatives, and even had to erase their identity to survive. Chopan, an artist born in Afghanistan who once became an immigrant in Pakistan, has memories deeply connected to his own work. 

“I clearly remember when I came home from school, carrying a small notebook, and when I got home, my mother said we were going to Pakistan. I didn’t know anything and left the notebook at home,” Chopan recounted.

At that time, in 1999, Afghanistan was facing a civil conflict with the Taliban. Hundreds of people were killed, and Chopan’s small family was forced to flee to Pakistan. They lived in a refugee camp with 3 million other immigrants.

Gradually, Chopan became interested in art. Unfortunately, as an immigrant, he couldn’t attend art school in Pakistan, so he returned to Afghanistan to study art at Kabul University’s Faculty of Fine Art. 

“Many people said I wouldn’t be able to get a job in the art field, even though my interest in art was very strong,” he added.

At one point, Chopan visited one of his cousin’s weddings in Afghanistan. When he got on the bus with a camera in hand, the people around him started to panic and tried to hide Chopan’s camera. 

It turned out that at that time, the Taliban were actively searching for and killing journalists or anyone seen carrying a camera. He still remembers the fear and trauma of that moment to this day.

Chopan once worked as an IT and computer expert to find a job. He was quite skilled in that field but felt unfulfilled because he lacked a sense of purpose. He eventually returned to art and came to Indonesia to continue his work. 

“Afghanistan doesn’t have an art space as large as Indonesia. I’m happy to be in this country to continue my hobby,” he said.

Although now living in Yogyakarta, Chopan continues to raise awareness of immigrants through his art. 

Dr. Suzie Handayani, a lecturer in the Anthropology program at FIB UGM, also appreciates Chopan’s art for successfully portraying the experiences of immigrants through a collection of fragmented memories and relics. 

Anyone who sees Chopan’s installations may experience deep sadness and trauma.

According to Dr. Handayani, Chopan’s work seems to draw viewers into a bleak political situation, with no welfare guarantee and silencing of voices. 

“I’m impressed by how Chopan never tidies up his work; he leaves it in chaos, reflecting the real emotions of immigrants,” she said.

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The biennial conference, “Forced Displacement in an Urbanizing World,” was held in response to issues regarding forced migration, which is prevalent in countries such as Myanmar, Palestine, and Indonesia.

“Indonesia is one of the countries with a significant potential for natural disaster threats,” said Professor Tri Nuke Pudjiastuti, a researcher at the Research Center for Politics, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). 

During her keynote speech at the IASFM opening at Grha Sabha Pramana on Tuesday (Jan. 21), she emphasized that forced migration is necessary to ensure public safety.

According to Professor Pudjiastuti, forced migration has a long history in Southeast Asia. She mentioned three historical periods of forced migration in Southeast Asia, with the situation worsening since the Andaman Sea crisis. 

To this day, every continent tends to implement defensive and uncooperative policies to protect its interests. 

“Forced migration occurs due to the lack of legal and proper protection in fulfilling humanitarian needs,” she explained.

Dr. Queqo Ahimsam, an academic and researcher from Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany, said that he is researching international migration and has found that many countries have politically oriented policies toward becoming anti-immigrant nations. 

“People are being forced to leave and relocate from their homes,” he said.

Dr. Realisa Darathea Masardi, a lecturer in the Department of Anthropology, emphasized that this international conference is expected to strengthen academic efforts to address forced migration issues. 

“As a leading research university, Universitas Gadjah Mada must encourage academics to collaborate with activists and organizations related to forced migration,” she said.

According to her, the results of this conference should serve academic purposes and raise awareness among the Indonesian public. 

The ultimate goal of this event is to broaden understanding, potentially influencing government policies that remain non-inclusive towards refugees in Indonesia. 

“I believe this conference is intended to amplify unheard voices to reach the government,” she hoped.

In her welcoming remarks, UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia expressed her appreciation to the academics, researchers, and international organization activists who spoke and attended the conference. 

“It is an honor for Universitas Gadjah Mada to host the 20th IASFM. I would also like to extend my thanks to all parties who supported the success of this conference,” she said.

The rector further stated that Universitas Gadjah Mada is committed to advancing knowledge through contemporary research, which will positively impact policy development and provide a platform for migrant voices to be heard.

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The protest expressed disappointment over the unclear realization of the performance allowance for civil servant lecturers, which has been in place since 2020 but remains unmet. 

Civil servant lecturers from the ministry are calling for immediate clarity regarding this allowance and hope it will draft new regulations on performance allowances.

Professor Wahyudi Kumorotomo, a Public Policy Management expert from UGM’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), stated that ADAKSI’s concerns represent those of lecturers and teachers as well as those involved in the nation’s education policymaking. 

He emphasized that a stronger commitment to education and human resource development is crucial within the next five years as Indonesia heads toward its Golden Era and the second phase of demographic bonus utilization. 

“It’s regrettable that the government’s and policymakers’ attention to education, which determines national competitiveness, is diminishing,” Professor Kumorotomo said on Sunday (Jan. 19).

He also criticized the ministry’s current actions, calling them confusing. The previous Ministry of Education’s Decision No. 447/P/2024 outlined plans to provide performance allowance, which should have already been allocated to the government budget. 

“It’s strange that this ministry is now claiming the funds from the national budget (APBN) are unavailable. The government’s priorities are truly baffling. The free meal (MBG) program is already underway, and the Ministry of Forestry is planning to open millions of hectares of agricultural land. Yet, many ministers in this bloated cabinet are still complaining about insufficient budgets. Must all budget allocations be determined by ‘who can negotiate harder’?”Professor Kumorotomo added.

He explained that the issue of performance allowance for civil servant lecturers originated with the 2015 Civil Servants Law, which changed the civil servant framework, affecting both civil servants (PNS) and contracted employees (PPPK). 

Furthermore, the 2005 Teachers and Lecturers Law, which mandates lecturer certification, has not been fully implemented, especially for younger lecturers who do not yet meet the certification requirements. 

“Those without certification do not receive allowances, while certified lecturers do. The uncertified ones are the ones demanding it,” he explained.

Uncertified lecturers have also demanded performance allowance as a replacement for professional allowances. However, the approval process has been slow and complicated further by changes in the ministry’s structure from the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and now to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.

Professor Kumorotomo believes there is a tendency for irregular budget allocation patterns within the government, as seen in the negotiation over judges’ pay raises, which involved direct presidential intervention. 

If the allowance for lecturers remains unrealized, Professor Kumorotomo predicts that ADAKSI and the lecturer and teacher communities will continue to voice their demands loudly. 

“This situation is unhealthy because all funding matters in ministries and institutions seem to be based on political negotiations, not the objective needs of each ministry’s programs,” he concluded.

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