Dipo Alam says plan to oust UI rector inappropriate

Indonesian University alumnus and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Cabinet secretary Dipo Alam has criticized a plan to topple UI rector Gumilar Rusliwa Sumantri over his recent decision to grant an honorary doctoratal degree to the King of Saudi Arabia.

“I’m willing to offer myself as a mediator for both groups, so that they can discuss what the problem really is. Besides, it is very inappropriate to announce to the public that we have an internal problem. In my opinion we should tackle this problem internally,” former activist Dipo said Sunday as quoted by kompas.com.

He added that he had spoken to Emil Salim, who was planning to give a speech on Monday. Dipo said Emil, one of the university's most distinguished economic professors, had agreed to the mediation plan.

Rector Gumilar was the subject of widespread protests by students, activists and dozens of UI professors after granting Saudi King Abdullah with an honoris causa for his humanitarian work. The protesters said the rector had ignored the recent controversial beheading of Indonesian maid Ruyati in Saudi Arabia on murder charges.