# Bulaksumur petition

Bulaksumur petition (Indonesian: Petisi Bulak Sumur) was a document signed by academics from Gadjah Mada University on 31 January 2024, demanding that President Joko Widodo (commonly known as Jokowi) adhere to the rule of law.

## Background

Joko Widodo (commonly known as Jokowi) has faced various accusations of undermining the rule of law. On 31 January 2024, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) held an academic forum at the Senate Hall attended by UGM academics, students, and lecturers. During the event, Professor Koentjoro of the Faculty of Psychology, who served as spokesperson for the Academic Platform, read the Bulaksumur Petition, expressing regret over alleged irregularities during Jokowi's administration. Jokowi is also considered part of the Gadjah Mada University extended family.
Agus Wahyudi, Head of the UGM Pancasila Study Center and the petition’s initiator, stated that the document resulted from dialogue between professors, lecturers, and students. clarified that these notes are part of broader documentation on the perceived decline of democracy in Indonesia and emphasized that UGM did not intend to impeach Jokowi but rather to caution him about political maneuvering and threats to democracy. UGM also called on the People's Representative Council and the People's Consultative Assembly to address the political unrest surrounding the 2024 Indonesian presidential election.

## The petition

The document outlines recent events in the Indonesian political sector, highlighting several alleged irregularities, including deviations from democratic principles, actions against the people, and breaches of social justice committed by high-ranking state officials. It also expresses regret over President Jokowi's role in allowing these irregularities to occur during his administration, which, according to the petition, has tarnished the reputation of Gadjah Mada University alumni. The petition was read by Professor Koentjoro from the Faculty of Psychology at Gadjah Mada University, accompanied by several professors and Gielbran M. Noor, Chair of the KM Student Executive Board, who represented the student body.
   "President Joko Widodo as an alumni, should adhere to UGM's identity, which upholds the values of Pancasila by helping to strengthen democratization so that it runs according to high moral standards and can achieve the goal of establishing a legitimate government in order to continue the leadership relay to realize the ideals "noble ideals as stated in the preamble to the 1945 Constitution,"
He added that Jokowi should always remember his pledge as a Gadjah Mada University alumnus, which reads:
   "To us, my almamater pledges allegiance. I fulfill the dharma of devotion to Mother Earth. In your unity is the soul of my entire nation. I will uphold your culture, the glory of the archipelago."
Koentjoro concluded his speech by urging all law enforcement officers, state officials, and politicians to prioritize upholding democracy in Indonesia.

## Notable attendants

* Zainal Arifin Mochtar, Constitutional Law expert
* Sofian Effendi, former Rector of Gadjah Mada University
* Bambang Hudayana, UGM Anthropologist
* PM Laksono, UGM Anthropologist
* Rochmat Wahab, former Rector of Yogyakarta State University
* Gielbran M. Noor, Chairman of the KM UGM Student Executive Board