The administration of Malikussaleh University, Aceh, cannot be separated from the role of Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) when he became President of the Republic of Indonesia. At that time, a number of Acehnese ulama and community leaders asked for the recognition of Malikussaleh University as part of the Aceh conflict resolution process.
This was conveyed by the Rector of Malikussaleh University, Dr. Herman Fithra ASEAN Eng, when meeting with Gus Dur's daughter in Jakarta, Friday (26/2/2021). On that occasion, Herman explained briefly the struggle for the establishment of the University of Malikussaleh (Unimal) during Gus Dur's tenure as President and then signed under President Megawati Soekarnoputri on August 1, 2001.
"From our friendship to the scholars in Aceh who helped establish Universitas Malikussaleh, the name Gus Dur was always referred to as one of the most instrumental people in the establishment of Unimal," said Herman when speaking to Gus Dur's daughter; Alissa Wahid, Anita Wahid, and Inayah Wahid in Jakarta, Friday morning.
According to Herman, Unimal wanted to meet Gus Dur's family in 2020 in connection with the 51st Anniversary of Unimal on 12 June 2020. "But because it is still in a pandemic atmosphere, the new meeting can be held this year," said Herman.
The Malikussaleh University group consisted of the Rector, Dr. Baidhawi, Vice-Rector III for Student Affairs; Vice-Rector IV for Cooperation, Dr. Azhari, and Head of Public Relations Technical Implementation Unit, Teuku Kemal Fasya. Meanwhile, from Gus Dur's family team, apart from his three daughters, there is also the author of the book Gus Dur and a member of the 2016-2021 Indonesian Ombudsman, Ahmad Suaedy, and Suraji from the Bani Abdurrahman Wahid Foundation.
The Chancellor of Unimal also briefly shared the profile of Malikussaleh University, which he calls the Bhineka Tunggal Ika Campus because around 20,000 students come from various provinces in Indonesia. Even though in Aceh there is Islamic law, many Unimal students are non-Muslim and they are free to practice their beliefs.
In addition, Universitas Malikussaleh also has a program to bring together children in disadvantaged areas to receive education at Malikussaleh University. "This program is in line with the late Gus Dur's aspirations to build education equality," said Herman, describing a number of Unimal's achievements in the last few years.
Meanwhile, Alissa Wahid said that the award was extraordinary because, in the midst of the pandemic, efforts were still made to meet with Gus Dur's family. He mentioned, the story of the recognition of Universitas Malikussaleh and the Trunojoyo Campus in Madura, cannot be separated from Gus Dur's principles; peace without illusory justice.
“During the Aceh - Jakarta conflict, I remember the group that most frequently came to the Palace was from Aceh. Including when Gus Dus suffered a severe stroke, there were many guests at the Palace even though Gus Dur was being treated," says Alissa.
According to him, the administration of Universitas Malikussaleh and other campuses and the decisions made by Gus Dur during the presidency was not just a political gesture, but a form of the state's responsibility to maintain the dignity of its people. Gus Dur also adhered to this principle in resolving conflicts in Papua and Timor Leste.
A former member of the Indonesian Ombudsman, Ahmad Suaedy, said that what Gus Dur did in Aceh and several other areas was a form of peaceful conflict resolution by strengthening civil society. “Gus Dur knows exactly the depth of Acehnese society. Gus Dur absorbed a lot of the aspirations of the ulama, "he said.
Anita Wahid hopes that the collaboration between Malikussaleh University and Gus Dur's family can continue in the future. The history between Gus Dur and Aceh has been around for a long time, one of his traces is the recognition of Universitas Malikussaleh. "The question is, where are you going after this? We are ready to help Universitas Malikussaleh, for example providing workshops and so on," said Anita. [ayi]