Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – University lecturers, students and nongovernmental organizations have identified problematic articles in the newly endorsed higher education bill and plan to file for a judicial review at the Constitutional Court.
Calling themselves the National Education Committee, they said some articles in the bill could weaken local universities, while other articles could deter poor students from pursuing a higher education.
"We still need to meet and further discuss several problematic points that we will submit to the Constitutional Court [for judicial review]. There are at least two crucial points: the articles that allow foreign universities to open branches here and the privatization of state universities," Alghiffari Aqsa of Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) told The Jakarta Post here on Saturday.
The committee claims that allowing foreign universities to open branches in Indonesia would eventually weaken local universities because the latter would have no competitive advantage. Meanwhile, the articles allowing state universities to fully determine their budget and financial sources would eventually lead to poor students being unable to afford the admission fees.
After being endorsed by the House of Representatives, a bill automatically becomes law within 30 days or after being signed by the President.
Article 50 of the higher education bill stipulates that foreign universities are allowed to set up branches, centers on Indonesian studies and independent research centers in the country.
Article 90 further authorizes the Indonesian government to determine areas at which foreign universities can operate, and the types and disciplines they may offer. It also requires foreign universities to hire Indonesian lecturers and staffers.
The government and House Commission X overseeing education claim the articles will motivate Indonesian universities to advance their services.
"I think the idea of allowing foreign universities to operate here is based on the General Agreement on Trade and Services [GATS]. Like other sectors under the agreement, our universities are not prepared for global competition, as well as equal opportunities for all students. And it's the job of the government to protect the universities," LBH's Alghiffari said.
Gadjah Mada University (UGM) rector Prof. Pratikno said that the bill also gave the government the authority to interfere in the management of lecturers within a university.
Article 70 says that the education and culture minister can assign any lecturers appointed by the government in order to improve the quality of higher education.
"Not only that, the article regulating this is unnecessary, it will be manipulated to intimidate lecturers for personal interests. I know the intentions of the bill are good, but we must be careful when it goes into effect," Pratikno told the Post.