Don't Let The Controversy Ruin Indonesia-Saudi Arabia Relations

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - University of Indonesia international law expert Prof Hikmahanto Juwana stated the controversy on University of Indonesia Rector Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri's decision on granting an honorary degree to Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud had to be solved immediately. He worried that it could impact Indonesia and Saudi Arabia relations.

"It is a big case in Indonesia but it is not a big deal in Saudi Arabia. However, the problem can be complicated if Saudi Arabian ambassador assigned in Jakarta reveals what is going on here to the king. The controversy is addressed to the rector and not to the king. Still, I'm worried that this can impact the relations of the two countries," said him.

According to him, Indonesian government must implicitly deal with the case. "So it can be countered before it gets worse," added him.

Hikmahanto said the case was an internal case of the university. Objections on the honorary grant appear on the grounds that no accademic backgrounds mentioned to support the grant. While the grants must be in accordance with the academic backgrounds.

"The reasons mentioned by the rector are not relevant and therefore objections come up with it. The reason to award the degree based on the expectation that Indonesian workers would treated decent in the country can't be taken as the academic reason. Except the degree is rewarded as an appreciation from Indonesian government. There should be a clear academic background on why the degree was awarded." ING