PKB Demands Suspension of UIN Surabaya Rector Appointment Amid Controversy

The National Awakening Party (PKB) faction in Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has requested the suspension of Ahmad Muzakki's tenure as Rector of UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya. This call comes amidst ongoing controversies and objections surrounding his appointment process. The request was formally submitted by PKB member Maman Imanulhaq during a meeting with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and its officials on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Maman argued that the polemics surrounding the rector's appointment cannot be sufficiently addressed by formal procedures alone. He highlighted the objections raised by professors, lecturers, and students following Ahmad Muzakki's inauguration. According to Maman, the fact that the rector's legal status has not yet reached finality (inkracht) should not preclude an evaluation of the university's leadership candidate. "When the rector, Mr. Ahmad Muzakki, has been summoned by the prosecutor's office, this should already be a point of note. There needs to be an evaluation; we shouldn't wait until it's final," he stated. Maman also urged the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) to open up the process by which Ahmad Muzakki was selected as one of the three rector candidates. This statement followed assurances from Kemenag Secretary-General Kamaruddin Amin that Ahmad Muzakki had indeed made it into the top three and that his appointment followed proper procedures. However, Maman claimed that two members of the selection team, Professor Doktor Nur Sam and Professor Doktor Syafiq Mughni, provided differing accounts. "Two members of the selection team stated that Mr. Ahmad Muzakki was not in the top three. But because the Secretary-General requested his inclusion, he was included," Maman asserted. Maman requested that while the controversy remains unresolved, the rector should refrain from making strategic policy decisions, including personnel mutations and appointments. "During this suspension, the rector must not make any strategic policies. There should be no mutations, no appointments of officials, and no intimidation against those who object," he warned. He emphasized that Commission VIII needs to hear statements from both sides before taking further steps. Maman stated that the resolution of the polemics should be directed towards safeguarding academic independence and the trust of the academic community. If the issues concerning the appointment process cannot be adequately explained, Maman threatened to push for the formation of a Special Committee (Panja) within Commission VIII. "This is a matter of credibility, Mr. Secretary-General. If this cannot be answered today, we will be forced to propose a Panja," he concluded.