Movement News:

Indonesia Student Christian Movement

Gerakan Mahaiswa Kristen Indonesia (GMKI)

2008 November

The 31st National Congress of GMKI

The National Congress is a biennial program
and the highest event of the GMKI.

The National Congress is an every two years program of GMKI. It is the highest event of GMKI as an instrument of GMKI’s permanent effort to articulate critical thinking in formulating its objective plans to respond every problem that rose.

The 31st National Congress of GMKI was held in Surabaya, East Java on 5-11 November 2008. The opening Ceremony took place in Petra Christian University Surabaya. The congress was attended by Mr. Freddy Numberi, the Minister of Ocean and Fishery, who came as representative of the President of Indonesia. In his speech, he stated the importance of awareness to the global issues. He also called for the students, especially GMKI to be involved in solving all problems appear in recent time. GMKI as a student organization is to be hoped to distribute its best cadres in building and bringing the nation state of Indonesia from global crisis. As a powerful civil society GMKI is hoped not only act as problem solver but also should not give up in criticizing every unjust governmental policy to its people.

GMKI Former Chairperson 2006-2008, Goklas Sartika Nababan, in her speech articulated that after 10 years of Reformation Era, the implementation of democracy is only limited on procedural democracy. But the main challenge is how to implement substantive democracy in economy and social ground. There is a tendency of majority group who deny the presence of minority as a part of the nation. They tend to blur the value of democracy by subordinating the minor. It intensifies the issue of religious fundamentalism and sectarianism in every part of nation. The violence in the name of religion has mounted and weakened the law enforcement in Indonesia. Goklas also illustrated about campus life, where pragmatism and individualism has reduced the solidarity among society members.

Rev. A. A. Yewango, the General Chairperson of CCI (Communion of Churches of Indonesia), in another speech said that GMKI has given contribution of progressive ideas to the churches and the society for a very long time. GMKI is a well-organized, valid and measurable training organization resulting leaders and pioneers of ecumenism.

The congress was also attended by General Chairpersons of Cipayung group and FKPI: HMI (Student Moslem Organization of Indonesia), PMII (Student Moslem Association of Indonesia), PMKRI (Student Catholic Association of Indonesia), GMNI (National Student Movement of Indonesia), Hikmabudhi (Student Buddhist Association of Indonesia), KMHDI (Student Hindus Fellowship of Indonesia). They were present to give their greetings and support GMKI as their fellow organization.

The 31st GMKI National Congress was attended by 378 participants from 60 branches in Indonesia, 22 GMKI National Executive Committee staffs period 2006-2008, GMKI Auditors, GMKI lawyers, Bina Darma Foundation staffs and 11 speakers (from national prominent leaders and Lapindo Mud victims). The congress forum launched “Be ye steadfast, unmoveable” from 1 Corinthian 15: 58 as fundamental theme for the next two years period.

The forum has also elected the GMKI National Executive Committee staffs for period 2008-2010: Mamberob. Y. Rumakiek as the General Chairperson, Rizal Marcos Lumombo as the General Secretary and Oder Hasan Purba as the General Treasurer.

The Worship and Inauguration Ceremony
of Elected Staffs of GMKI

The worship and inauguration ceremony of elected staffs of GMKI period 2008-2010 was conducted on November 28th 2008 in STT- Jakarta (Jakarta Theological Seminary) hall. The ceremony was arranged by the former staffs of GMKI period 2006-2008. The event was attended by around 100 people. They were Senior Members and Friends, branches members and they who were invited by the former staffs. The inauguration ceremony conducted after the worship service. The first speech articulated by the former General Chairperson, Goklas Sartika Nababan. She explained problems that faced by the former staffs, especially connected with the case of Salemba 10 land-owning (GMKI Secretariat) that draining their energy. But she also encouraged the elected staffs of GMKI period 2008-2010 to be strong and consistent. The elected GMKI General Chairperson, Mamberob. Y. Rumakiek, in the second speech emphasized on the commitment in building the nation should not interfered by the narrow-minded interests that only fulfill some people’s interests. Mr. Immanuel Blegur, as Senior Member, passed his good wishes to the elected staffs of GMKI period 2008-2010. He congratulated the former staffs who worked very hard for the organization. The last speech gave by representative of CCI who hoped that GMKI will continually give progressive and positive contribution to the churches. It is hoped that GMKI will be steadfast, unmovable and stand still.

2008 August

A Statement from the National Executive Committee
of the Indonesian SCM (GMKI)

SCM Indonesia Condemns Attacks
on SCM National Headquarters in Jakarta,
Fights for Freedom of Speech and Expression

On 26 August 2008 at 2:30 pm, 200 local township guardian police (SATPOL PP) attacked the office building of National Council of Churches Indonesia and GMKI (SCM Indonesia). This attack was done by the police as a response to GMKI’s position against local bill no. 8/2007, a public security Bill restricting the people from expressing openly their opinions on matters related to government policies.

The police force prevented the SCM Indonesia from displaying banners against the bill no.8/2007 around the GMKI’s National Secretariat office. The police cajoled, insulted the SCM students, threw stones, destroyed windows and doors of the GMKI’s office including the Communion Churches of Indonesia’s (CCI) office.

Following this incident, the Vice Governor of Jakarta Province visited the damaged area and apologized to the leaders of the CCI through a press conference. However, the police force returned for the second time to inflict more damage and destroy properties, worst than the first attack. Students were reportedly beaten-up and injured during this time.

Prior to this attack, the police force (Satpol PP) was already in conflict with GMKI on the issue of ownership of the land where the national office of GMKI is located in Salemba Raya or Salemba Street in Central Jakarta. Despite the High Court’s decision to stop demolishing the building, following the appeal from GMKI, the violent occupation by the Police continued. PT Kencana Indotama Pratama’s company, the claimant of the disputed land ordered the use of bulldozer to destroy the buildings where GMKI’s office is situated. Half of the GMKI’s office premises has been destroyed by this violent take-over.

Therefore, Indonesian SCM appeals to the Indonesian government, the police force and general public:

1. To condemn any forms of violent repression against civilian by the police force;
2. To calls for the investigation of the police attack on GMKI and CCI building;
3. To demand for disciplinary actions against that the police engaged in the violent attack;
4. For the Jakarta Provincial Government to take immediate action to stop the attacks and to make a public apology to the Christians institution around Salemba area;
5. To all Indonesian people to understand the incident objectively.

Signed by Goklas Nababan (General Chairperson)
Naftali Jarin (General Secretary)

2003 November

National Congress

GMKI held its 28th National Congress in Tondano, North Sulawesi Province in 8-14 November 2003. 304 delegates from the 51 branches of GMKI attended the congress. The main events for the congress were to evaluate programmes that were implemented in 2000 to 2002 term and to reflect collectively on the new aims and strategies of the movement. The themes for year 2002-2004 are “Trust in God and Do Good” (Psalm 37:3) and “Struggling for Justice, Equality and Welfare of Life in the Plural Society by promoting the value of Democracy in Indonesia”. A new set of National Executive Committee members were also elected. The new chairperson is Andre Manusiwa and the new general secretary elected is Nina Nayoan, the first woman general secretary in the history of GMKI.

2003 February

First Plenary Meeting of National ExCo

The first plenary meeting of GMKI National ExCo held in Salatiga, Central Java in 12-15 February 2003. The focuses of the programmes to be implemented are:

1. Movement Building
2. The social, cultural and political analyses forum
3. Spirituality activities especially on Bible Study Camps
4. Strategic alliances strengthening that are based on Inter-Cultural and Inter-Religion community like FKPI, Cipayung Forum, EASYNet, etc.
5. Civil Society for democracy.

GMKI 53rd Anniversary and Universal Day of Prayer

GMKI held its 53rd anniversary in 9 February 2003 with conjunction to the Universal Day of Prayer. Students and senior friends of GMKI as well as some Muslim student leaders attended this celebration. The main event included a statement read by a women senior friend on the women’s role in the transition era towards democracy in Indonesia.