ISI students express anger artistically

Nyoman Sura, a lecturer at the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) in Denpasar (photo right), vents her anger along with a number of students and fellow lecturers over the reelection of the university's rector in Jakarta on Thursday.

The protesters splashed red paint, presented modern art and performed pantomimes during the non-violent rally, which did not warrant police intervention.

"Splashing red paint symbolizes our anger. We want the rector to be honest with us, to tell us openly what is actually happened in the election," Nyoman said referring to incumbent rector I Wayan Rai.

The conflict at the university was triggered when Rai refused to step down from his post after his rival I Nyoman Catra won the March election.

Rai said a letter he received from the national education minister proved the election had been invalid.

He received support for his decision from the ministry's inspector general M. Sofyan, resulting in the largest demonstration on the campus in the university's history.

Rai later formed a new senate and won re-election in late August.