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Letters: Questioning plagiarism

Indonesia’s academic world and perhaps The Jakarta Post are shocked by the recent plagiarism conducted by a well-known professor

The Jakarta Post
Thu, February 11, 2010

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Letters: Questioning plagiarism

I

ndonesia’s academic world and perhaps The Jakarta Post are shocked by the recent plagiarism conducted by a well-known professor. We then cannot help pondering the quality of Indonesia’s academics when it comes to writing an opinion on a certain matter in their field of expertise. Not only is the quality of the writing itself being questioned, but also the substance and validity of an article, essay, etc.

In the academic world, it is known and quite usual that we use another’s opinion, as long as the person whose work is being used is credited as his or her work. But it is unforgivable when we simply copy someone’s work without crediting the person itself. But it is still uncertain about how much of other’s opinion we may use, and uncertainty may lead to ambiguity, and this may lead to other devastating and dishonorable results.

Universities must become the first line of defense when it comes to the quality assurance of academics which, of course, includes its students. Learning from foreign universities that are experienced in such things is a must if we are to repair the unsavory situation of academic acknowledgement in Indonesia.

Academics, people who many see as those who are advanced in not only a specified knowledge but also wisdom, must fully understand that plagiarism is basically an academic form of stealing. Therefore, a severe penalty is also a must for those who have done so, as is the case in many well-known foreign universities.

Yes, perhaps Indonesians who read this writing of mine will say that many Indonesians have conducted some form of plagiarism and it would be rather hypocritical if I talk loudly of this matter.  That for me is merely a sign that we have become rather familiar with this issue, due to the lack of education.

It is at that early age we must understand how to compose a decent, well-written academic piece of writing if we are to minimize future plagiarists. Nevertheless, this sad situation must first be acknowledged in order for Indonesia’s academic community to take the necessary steps to enhance the academics themselves.

To merely say that, “this is how things work in Indonesia” is an even more saddening and depressing state of mind which will only hinder the process of professional academic creativity in Indonesia.

The recent plagiarism has been a devastating blow for Indonesia’s academic community, but it has also been a wake-up call for Indonesia’s current academics, not only for professors or professors-to-be but also for the students who are currently struggling their way out of college — including me.

A definitive guideline must be set, constructed and utilized fully in order to avoid such things happening again. What is at stake here is not only the institution to which the plagiarist is affiliated but, as the world’s eyes now watch Indonesia’s academics closely due to the recent shocking events, it is Indonesia as a whole that is being judged by the harsh yet honest academic world.


Ben. K. C. Laksana
Bandung

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