UI rector apologizes to the public over honorary doctorate award for Saudi king

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 09/02/2011

University of Indonesia rector Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri apologized to the public for any inconveniences caused by the university’s honorary doctorate degree awarded to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The university’s gesture sparked widespread protests across Indonesia.

“We apologize if this was regarded as improper and offensive to many parties,” Gumilar said on Friday as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

Gumilar admitted that he was aware that the timing of the award was not appropriate.

“I am fully aware that the timing for the award was not right. We did it not long after the beheading of Ruyati,” said Gumilar, referring to Indonesian maid Ruyati binti Satubi, who was convicted two months ago of murdering her employer — a crime she allegedly committed in response to being subjected to repeated acts of torture.

Several NGOs said the Saudi king did not deserve such an award because the country “never appreciated the principles of human rights, especially for migrant workers.”

International human rights organizations have for years criticized Saudi Arabia for its treatment of migrant workers. A 2011 Human Rights Watch report notes that domestic workers from Indonesia “frequently endure forced confinement, food deprivation and severe psychological, physical and sexual abuse”.

There are an estimated 1.5 million Indonesian maids currently in the kingdom, with 23 on death row.

Gumilar, however, did not say what actions his management would take next amid mounting pressure from many organizations affiliated with the university, including professors, student associations and alumni who have demanded that the rector tender his resignation.

“We understand the [protest as a] mere difference of opinion. And, in the realm of democracy, as in the campus world, such difference is an asset and is simply normal,” he said.

He said that the university management had studied the selection process for more than three years before deciding to award the degree to the King Abdullah.

“It [the award] has taken long process. But we had not yet presented it due to the king’s health concerns,” he said.

According to Gumilar, the date as well as the venue for the award presentation was decided upon by the king himself.

The award ceremony, which took place last week, drew public fury, partially because it was conducted at the King’s Al-Safa Palace, which was not consistent with the traditional practice of honorary degrees being presented by the awarding university within their own country.

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