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Jakarta Post

CC regrets controversial speech made by alumnus

One of Jakarta’s oldest and most prominent high schools, Kolese Kanisius in Menteng, Central Jakarta, has responded to public controversy over a speech made by one of its alumni during the commemoration of the school’s 90th anniversary

Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Wed, November 15, 2017

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CC regrets controversial speech made by alumnus

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ne of Jakarta’s oldest and most prominent high schools, Kolese Kanisius in Menteng, Central Jakarta, has responded to public controversy over a speech made by one of its alumni during the commemoration of the school’s 90th anniversary.

Ananda Sukarlan, a classical pianist, had lambasted the invitation of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to the event held Saturday at JIExpo in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

The all-male school, which is also known as Canisius College (CC), said such criticism was covered by the freedom of speech, although it was conveyed in an inappropriate forum.

“It is our tradition to invite a regional leader to our anniversary. There is nothing special about inviting Anies,” said Eduard C. Ratu Dopo SJ, the principal of CC and head of the committee for the 90th anniversary celebration.

Along with Anies, Eduard said, the committee had also invited Culture and Education Minister Muhadjir Effendy to the event, but the latter could not attend.

He then explained that CC appreciated Ananda’s critical view on Anies but regretted the fact that he had conveyed his criticism publicly during the anniversary celebration.

At the event, Ananda, who received an award from the school for his achievements as a composer, walked out when the newly installed governor delivered his remarks. Several other alumni followed him.

During his speech upon receiving the award, which took place after Anies had left the event, Ananda chided the event committee for inviting “someone who has gained a position in ways and values that contradict the school’s principles on pluralism.”

Footage of Ananda’s speech went viral with a post saying his walkout was followed by hundreds of other alumni. It sparked heated debates on social media.

“We have met with our alumni association and sent Anies a letter today to apologize for the incident,” Eduard told The Jakarta Post.

Similarly to Eduard, the Kolese Kanisius Jakarta Alumni Association said Ananda’s move was a form of free speech, but added it should not have been conveyed during the event.

The association said there had been no mass walkout during Anies’ speech, as claimed in social media.

“Many people have blown up the issue [out of proportion] on social media, making such criticism go viral beyond our expectation. We hope the heated debate will soon ease off,” the association’s head, Sharief Natanegara, told the Post.

“The walkout was my own initiative, and I did not provoke others to follow me. I respect the event, so I did not want to create any tumult, despite my disagreement concerning Anies,” said Ananda. “Some said Kolese Kanisius and I conspired to humiliate Anies. That is not true.”

Ananda explained that he was not involved in the decision to invite Anies, as both Anies and he were invitees. While Anies was invited as the Jakarta governor, Ananda was invited as an awardee. Hence, he added, there was no conspiracy.

Meanwhile, political observer and Charta Politika executive director Yunarto Wijaya said Ananda’s criticism at Kolese Kanisius’ event was normal in a democracy. However, the issue had become a sensitive one among Jakartans, as it reached social media due to identity politicization during the election.

Anies, who allied with conservative Muslim groups to earn his ticket in the Jakarta gubernatorial election, beat Ahok by securing 58 percent of the vote in the second round of the election in April — which was marred by sectarian sentiment stirred up in the capital.

In his inauguration speech in October, while highlighting his stance on pluralism by inserting proverbs of different ethnic groups, Anies aroused controversy by mentioning the term pribumi to describe indigenous Indonesians.

“A governor elected in an election marred by sensitive SARA issues has a heavy burden to resolve the fragmentation,” said Yunarto, using an acronym denoting issues related to ethnic, religious, racial or societal group affiliation.

He then explained that Anies had to demonstrate that he did not side with any particular group.

“He needs to do more than just, for example, go to a church or vihara. He needs to show it through his policies,” Yunarto said.

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