TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto spoke about academic freedom within university settings during his speech at the Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) 2026. Speaking before thousands of lecturers and university rectors, Prabowo asserted that while campuses are places for academic freedom, they are not places for other types of freedom.
During his address, Prabowo likened Indonesia to passengers aboard a large ship, where differing viewpoints should not be seen as a problem.
The Gerindra Party Chairperson noted that universities are environments where differences naturally emerge. "The university is a place where ideas are contested. A contest of ideas, perspectives, philosophies, and innovations," Prabowo said at the convention, which was held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The former Minister of Defense stated that these differences constitute a form of academic freedom. However, he cautioned that academic freedom on campus does not translate into other types of freedom. "It must be emphasized that the campus has academic freedom—academic freedom, academic freedom, not other freedoms," he stated.
Prabowo expressed his hope that Indonesian universities would not become breeding grounds for unrest. "Especially the campus becoming a place, let's say, of conflict," he said.
He maintained that campuses should be allowed to actively pursue science and technology for the benefit of the public. Furthermore, he reminded the audience that the public contributes to funding these universities and all educational institutions, both public and private. Prabowo noted that private campuses also benefit from public funds through electricity and fuel subsidies.
The Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) attended by Prabowo ran from Friday to Sunday, June 26–28, 2026. The President attended both the opening and closing ceremonies of the event, which reportedly drew 2,600 educators, including professors, deans, and rectors.
Last Friday, during the opening of KSTI 2026, Prabowo delivered a presentation to the academics that spanned nearly five hours. Prabowo's briefing began openly at around 4:00 p.m. at the Jakarta Convention Center. After speaking for 30 minutes, Prabowo requested that journalists leave the hall and continued his address behind closed doors.
The session paused for a brief recess at around 6:00 p.m. Afterward, Prabowo continued to address the academic forum until well past 9:00 p.m. Throughout his presentation, Prabowo delivered his material using a large projection screen in the convention hall.
The vast majority of the lecturers remained in the hall while Prabowo spoke. "He remained passionate, five hours non-stop, extraordinary," said Sukartiningsih, a lecturer from the Faculty of Forestry at Mulawarman University, who attended the forum from start to finish.
According to Sukartini, Prabowo spoke extensively about the current state of Indonesia during his briefing. The President also discussed key government initiatives, including the free nutritious meals program, village cooperatives, and export policies.
In addition, Prabowo shared stories from his life, spanning his youth to his years following his military service. "So his youthful years, they were shown briefly," Sukartini said.
Sukartini noted that there was no question-and-answer session between the lecturers and Prabowo during the forum. "Because there were so many participants, but he reminded everyone not to forget that all of their knowledge must be contributed to the progress of the Indonesian nation and country," said the Mulawarman University Vice Rector.
The forum, titled "National Discussion," was part of the Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention. The event was organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. KSTI is an initiative introduced by President Prabowo, with its inaugural event held at the Bandung Institute of Technology in August 2025.
Read: Prabowo Returns to Address Thousands of Indonesian Academics
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