Professors Urge Academics to Step Up for National Reform

7 hours ago 8

August 13, 2026 | 05:16 pm

Members of the Interdisciplinary Intellectual Forum (FIAD) read a manifesto on national issues at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, on August 13, 2026. Tempo/Dinda Shabrina

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A collective of professors and scholars under the Interdisciplinary Intellectual Forum (FIAD) has raised alarms over various problems gripping the nation. The academics convened to present a manifesto charting a path forward for a just, democratic, sovereign, and sustainable Indonesia.

FIAD member Theddeus Prasetyono, familiarly known as Teddy, urged scholars nationwide to step out of their comfort zones, emphasizing that the academic community can no longer remain silent on the critical issues unsettling the country.

"This is no longer a time for us to be in our comfort zones," Teddy said during the manifesto reading at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

He noted that at least 80 intellectuals have joined the forum. The members represent diverse academic disciplines with multiple expertise.

Teddy stated that all of them have put their thoughts together to formulate the problems occurring in Indonesia and the demands that must be addressed. Some of the intellectuals who read the manifesto included Sulistyowati Irianto, Manneke Budiman, Premana Permadi, Wening Udasmoro, and Arie Sujito.

This manifesto views national renewal as requiring a long-term, cross-disciplinary approach and cross-sectoral practices. Teddy stated that the crisis facing the nation is a governance crisis that has festered for years. "This requires a gradual, targeted, and consistent transformation agenda," he said.

Fellow professor Sulistyowati Irianto outlined three complementary horizons for change proposed by FIAD. The initial stage prioritizes rescuing state institutions and arresting democratic decay. "The second phase centers on institutional reform and building state capacity," Sulis explained.

The final phase envisions a transformation toward an Indonesia that honors its constitutional mandate while effectively tackling 21st-century challenges. Additionally, the forum is calling on the government to halt democratic backsliding and political degradation within a 12-month window.

Sulis stressed that the group's immediate priority is ending governance practices that violate constitutional principles and restoring public confidence in state institutions. "This agenda aims to create a foundation that will enable deeper reforms in the next phase," she said.

Read: Which Figures Will Be Honored on Indonesia's Independence Day?

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

301 UI Professors File Amicus Curiae over Bahlil Lahadalia Case

5 Juni 2026

301 UI Professors File Amicus Curiae over Bahlil Lahadalia Case

University of Indonesia (UI) professors filed an amicus curiae to challenge the annulment of ethical sanctions in Bahlil Lahadalia's dissertation case

Prabowo Seeks Professors' Involvement in Giant Sea Wall Project

20 April 2026

Prabowo Seeks Professors' Involvement in Giant Sea Wall Project

The giant sea wall project aims to protect 60 percent of industrial areas and more than 30 million people.

Unpad Suspends Professor Over Sexual Harassment Allegation

17 April 2026

Unpad Suspends Professor Over Sexual Harassment Allegation

Previously circulated on social media X related to allegations of sexual assault involving a professor at Unpad with the initials IY.

Unpad Professor Accused of Sexually Harassing Student

16 April 2026

Unpad Professor Accused of Sexually Harassing Student

The professor at Unpad's Faculty of Nursing is accused of sending sexually suggestive messages to an exchange student.

Scholar: Trump's Greenland Ambition Is Dangerous for Global Order

16 Januari 2026

Scholar: Trump's Greenland Ambition Is Dangerous for Global Order

An Indonesian professor warned that President Donald Trump's Greenland remarks could destabilize the global order.

Today's Prabowo-Professors Meeting Offers No Dialogue Session

15 Januari 2026

Today's Prabowo-Professors Meeting Offers No Dialogue Session

President Prabowo promised to hold a special meeting to hear and address aspirations from universities.

Research Funding Sees 218% Hike During Prabowo's Term, Says Deputy Minister

15 Januari 2026

Research Funding Sees 218% Hike During Prabowo's Term, Says Deputy Minister

Prabowo is said to have also pushed for financial incentives for researchers.

Several UGM Professors Fail to Enter Prabowo Palace Meeting

15 Januari 2026

Several UGM Professors Fail to Enter Prabowo Palace Meeting

From eight UGM professors who were invited, some failed to enter the Presidential Palace because their names did not appear on the State Secretariat list.

Prabowo's Palace Dialogue Snubbed by Professors as 'Merely Ceremonial'

14 Januari 2026