Universitas Indonesia Suddenly Bans Republican Conference in Salemba

Universitas Indonesia (UI) abruptly prohibited the 'Republican Conference: The Path to Rebuilding the Republic' event, scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026, at its Salemba campus in Central Jakarta. The conference organizers were informed of the ban late Saturday night, despite having received prior authorization from UI on June 24 to use campus facilities. Jaleswari Pramodhawardani, a conference organizer, stated that UI claimed the event did not meet administrative procedures, a reason she disputes. "We followed the procedures," she asserted. The organizers had already begun setting up the venue on Saturday, with backdrops and equipment in place, and had no indication of a problem until security intervened late Saturday evening. Pramodhawardani suspects that external forces pressured UI to cancel the event, viewing the ban as a violation of the constitutional right to express opinions and part of a pattern of suppressing free speech. She noted that concerts and discussions have also been canceled recently. The conference aimed to foster dialogue on national issues, not to plan a coup, she clarified. "We are not planning a coup, we are not armed forces, we are not going to surround the palace," she said. She believes the state fears ideas more than violence. Despite the difficulties, Pramodhawardani expressed understanding for UI's position, suggesting the university was forced to compromise under significant pressure. The organizers have decided to proceed with the conference, initiating discussions via Zoom at 13:00 WIB. UI's Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs, Erwin Agustian Panigoro, had not yet responded to requests for confirmation regarding the ban. The conference's agenda included consolidating the Republican Conference's values, goals, and direction; establishing its organizational structure, network, and operational methods; and discussing leadership. The organizers emphasized that civil networks require individuals willing to work both publicly and behind the scenes to ensure effective communication and coordination without monopolization.

“

We followed the procedures.