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Islands in focus: Students protest against illegal fees

Dozens of students, grouped under the Mataram Student Alliance (AMMM), staged a rally in front of the West Nusa Tenggara Legislative building in Mataram, demanding an end to what they claimed were illegal fees by a number of universities in the province

The Jakarta Post

Mataram

Tue, May 5, 2015 Published on May. 5, 2015 Published on 2015-05-05T07:00:50+07:00

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ozens of students, grouped under the Mataram Student Alliance (AMMM), staged a rally in front of the West Nusa Tenggara Legislative building in Mataram, demanding an end to what they claimed were illegal fees by a number of universities in the province.

Muhammad Rian, the rally coordinator, said that Law No. 12/2012 on the National Education System was to blame for rampant commercialism in the universities. 'The four largest universities in West Nusa Tenggara have increased entrance fees by 20 percent each year, and also demand students pay various fees for things like student cards and books,' Rian said.

Universities, according to Rian, were commercializing the education system. 'We demand the legislative council investigate these fees and summon the rectors,' Rian said.

TGH Muammar Afarah, one of the council members, said the council would summon the province's education agency officials and university representatives in the near future. 'This protest will be one of the matters about which we will seek explanations from them,' Muammar said.