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Last Updated: 2 months ago
The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Djuanda University (UNIDA) held a public lecture with academics from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Classroom D.303, FISIP UNIDA. The event featured Prof. Dr. Novel Anak Lyndon and Dr. Junaidi Awang Besar as speakers and was attended by students and members of the FISIP UNIDA academic community.
The public lecture served as a platform for cross-country exchange of ideas, discussing the dynamics of democratic systems, political geography, and digital-based community empowerment in the modern era.
Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FISIP UNIDA, Dr. Saprudin, stated that the event reflected FISIP UNIDA’s commitment to providing globally oriented learning experiences while broadening students’ perspectives on international issues.
According to him, the presence of academics from Malaysia provided a valuable opportunity for students to gain broader academic experiences through direct discussion and knowledge exchange.
“The presence of international academics today is an investment in knowledge for all of us. Through this public lecture, students are expected to broaden their perspectives, gain new insights, and build academic networks that will support their intellectual development,” he said during his opening remarks.
In the first session, Prof. Dr. Novel Anak Lyndon discussed the fundamental differences between the electoral systems of Malaysia and Indonesia. He explained that Malaysia implements the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, while Indonesia adopts a Proportional Representation system with a president elected directly by the people.
“In Malaysia, the Prime Minister is elected through members of parliament, whereas in Indonesia the leader is elected directly by the people through general elections,” he explained.
He also elaborated on how geographical and demographic factors influence voting patterns in Malaysia, including differences in voter characteristics between urban and rural areas. According to him, although the two countries apply different systems, the primary objective of democracy remains the same: maintaining political and governmental stability.
In addition, Prof. Dr. Novel presented insights into Malaysia’s 15th General Election (GE-15) in 2022, which became one of the country’s most competitive elections due to the emergence of a hung parliament, where no party obtained an absolute majority in parliament.
Meanwhile, in the second session, Dr. Junaidi Awang Besar highlighted the importance of public participation in strengthening democracy and community development. He considered citizen involvement to be a crucial element in building transparent and sustainable governance.
During his presentation, he explained that technological advancement and digital literacy have become essential components of community empowerment, particularly in creating smart communities.
“Digital literacy today is no longer merely an added value, but a fundamental necessity. However, disparities in digital access and infrastructure in rural areas remain challenges that require serious attention,” he stated.
He also emphasized the important role of younger generations as agents of social transformation through leadership, civic engagement, and digital activism. According to him, sustainable development can only be achieved optimally when communities are actively involved as partners in the development process.
The public lecture proceeded interactively through discussion and question-and-answer sessions with students. Participants showed strong enthusiasm through various questions addressing democracy, public participation, and the challenges of digital transformation within society. The event concluded with a group photo session.