MALANG, Indonesia — Universitas PGRI Kanjuruhan Malang (Unikama) appears to be finding some relief amid a contentious dispute over the leadership of the Perkumpulan Pembina Lembaga Pendidikan Perguruan Tinggi Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia (PPLP PT-PGRI) Malang. Dr. Cristea Frisdiantara, Ak., MM, has affirmed his legitimate authority as the organization’s leader, backed by official documentation and certification from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham).
Official records confirm that Deed Number 10, dated September 12, 2025, was certified by the Legal Entity Administration (AHU) on September 17, 2025. According to the Minister and Director General of AHU, no other AHU certifications were issued, solidifying Dr. Cristea’s position.
“This deed is legally valid and recognized by the state. There should be no competing deeds, as they would only create legal conflicts that harm thousands of students, lecturers, and staff at Unikama,” said Sumardhan, SH, MH, Dr. Cristea’s legal counsel, during a press conference in the Unikama campus lobby on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Sumardhan revealed that his team had issued a legal summons to a notary in Malang regarding the issuance of a new deed claiming alternative leadership. He warned that duplicate deeds could lead to legal dualism and uncertainty.
He urged Unikama’s academic community to stay focused on educational activities while the leadership issue is resolved through legal channels. “The rector and lecturers should prioritize students. As for the organization’s matters, we remain open to reconciliation, though it’s challenging,” he said.
Meanwhile, PPLP Vice Chairman Prof. Dr. Tries Edy Wahyono, MM, noted that PPLP PT-PGRI Malang, established in 1975, has a long history. Despite internal conflicts since 2013, Dr. Cristea’s leadership is legally recognized.
“On July 4, a new deed and AHU certification suddenly emerged on the same day, despite our request for a block. This is highly irregular, and we stand by the legitimate legal foundation,” Prof. Tries stated.
He assured that academic operations would continue as normal and dismissed concerns about mass terminations, referencing a past incident where 60 lecturers were unilaterally sacked. “We emphasize that Dr. Cristea will not resort to arbitrary dismissals. We want everything to run smoothly, with lecturers and staff secure,” he clarified.
Dr. Cristea stressed the importance of maintaining campus stability. “Unikama is a home for thousands of students. It must not be disrupted by leadership disputes. Let’s focus on educational quality and preserving calm,” he said.
He remains open to mediation and reconciliation. “We’re ready to discuss matters amicably. If any party feels aggrieved, they can pursue legal avenues. We guarantee that student services, including the October graduation, will proceed as planned,” he affirmed.
At the same event, students voiced concerns over the prolonged conflict, which they said was disrupting their learning environment. “We love Unikama, but this issue has dragged on too long. We need clarity, especially regarding registration fees and tuition, so students don’t become victims,” one student said.
They demanded a resolution within 24 hours and urged the foundation’s leadership and rectorate to seek a peaceful solution without compromising academic interests.
Thus, the legal leadership of PPLP PT-PGRI Malang remains under Dr. Cristea Frisdiantara. He called on students and lecturers to ignore rumors of dual leadership and continue academic activities as usual.