State and University Collusion

The Repression of Academic Freedom in Indonesia

Abstract

This article discusses the decline of academic freedom in Indonesian universities, which has become increasingly evident in recent years. Although academic freedom is a key pillar of higher education, in practice it is often undermined by state interference, authoritarian tendencies among university leaders, and a weak legal framework for protecting the academic rights of lecturers and students. This study seeks to answer two main questions: how the state, university administration, and legal regulations interact to suppress academic freedom, and what forms of repression occur, along with the reforms needed to strengthen academic autonomy. The data for this study were obtained through document and content analysis of academic publications, higher education regulations, media reports, and official documents related to cases of repression. The findings show that repression takes three primary forms: (1) the criminalisation of lecturers who criticise campus policies; (2) censorship and silencing of student press institutions; and (3) the prohibition and dissolution of public discussions that raise sensitive issues or criticise the government. These forms of repression are reinforced by a neo-feudal culture within campus bureaucracy and by insufficient legal protections, particularly for students. The study highlights the urgent need for reforms in higher education regulations and the strengthening of institutional autonomy to ensure that academic freedom is protected as a fundamental right for all members of the academic community.