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enior high school graduates on Tuesday took written tests to get into their preferred state universities in cities across the country, while the education minister threatened to legally prosecute anyone found to engage in misconduct.

The misconduct that occurred during the entry tests usually involved certain individuals taking the written tests for somebody else (jockeying), as well as the leakage of test materials.

Research and Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir said those who committed misconduct would be charged with criminal offenses.

“There must be no jockeying as it could be a criminal offense. There must also be no leakage of test materials. If there is a case or two, we must find the perpetrators,” the minister said while inspecting the entry test in Semarang, Central Java, on Tuesday.

“There were cases of jockeying in Surakarta and Makassar last year. The perpetrators were charged with criminal offenses.”

During the inspection, the minister helped hand out the test materials to the participants. The minister also tried to boost the spirit of the students.

“Everything ran as expected. There is no indication of leakage of test materials,” he added.

In Jayapura, Papua, the entry test, which took place at Cendrawasih University, ran under tight security because it occurred at the same time as a demonstration staged by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) right in front of the campus.

“The entry exam ran peacefully, but we asked for the police and the military to improve the security in anticipation of the demonstration,” university rector Onesimus Sahuleka said.

The campus, especially the front gate, was often used as a venue for demonstrations or protests by students or other activists. They usually blocked the entrance gate, leaving the students and lecturers unable to get onto the campus.

Prior to the written test, a group of students staged a rally from May 23 to 27, demanding the campus give more opportunities to Papuan people to study at Cendrawasih University. They wanted the Papuans to be given a better chance than those from outside Papua, resulting in an 80-to-20 ratio.

“We do not bar students from voicing their aspirations. Only, they must not disturb the interests of others,” he added.

Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Jeremias Rontini said the police office deployed 600 personnel to safeguard the university entry tests and the demonstration. “We deployed 600 personnel plus 200 soldiers,” he added.

Meanwhile, the university entry tests in Bandung, West Java, saw the participation of more than 46,000 students, up from an earlier target of 42,800.

Bandung entry test committee secretary Asep Gana said participants took the test at 218 locations in Bandung and at 15 others in Tasikmalaya regency. “The number of classrooms used for the entry test was 2,154.”

Meanwhile, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) rector Kadarsyah Suryadi said the school will open more international classes in its undergraduate program, particularly for the study of pharmaceutical science and technology, clinical and community pharmacy, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, aeronautics and astronautics, as well as international business.

“The international class aims to prepare students for global competition. One-third of our lecturers with Master’s or Doctoral degrees graduated abroad,” he added.