September 7, 2025 | 09:12 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The student community at Kolese Gonzaga High School asserts the right of students to voice their aspirations in Indonesia's democratic process. In their official statement on Thursday, September 4, 2025, they rejected the idea that students should not express their opinions in public spaces.
"Forms of participation such as social media campaigns, petition drives, and voicing aspirations are a tangible manifestation of freedom of expression protected by Article 28 Verse (3) of the 1945 Constitution," wrote the statement signed by the Head of Kolese Gonzaga High School, Peter Eduard C. Ratu Dopo, and the Senate Chair, Christopher Kana Cahyadi.
They expressed concern over the loss of lives and violence in the recent wave of protests, which was seen as arising from public dissatisfaction with the government, the House of Representatives (DPR), and law enforcement agencies.
In addition to asserting the rights of students, the Gonzaga community also:
- Respects the efforts of the public in voicing aspirations in a conducive manner for the common good.
- Condemns the spread of misinformation and efforts to distort narratives that trigger horizontal conflicts.
- Urges the DPR to demonstrate goodwill in responding to the 17+8 demands being discussed.
"As Indonesian students, we are committed to taking a firm and critical stance on the socio-political dynamics in our homeland," the statement read.
Their views contradict the opinion of the Indonesian Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, who stated that students do not need to express their aspirations through street protests.
According to Mu'ti, there are more suitable ways for students to voice their aspirations. "There are peaceful ways. The message can be delivered without having to leave school," he said when met in the Rawamangun area, East Jakarta, on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
Mu'ti believes that protests can lead to anarchist actions. He encouraged parents, teachers, students, and educational authorities to discourage students from participating in protests.
"Let's encourage students to focus more on learning, to focus on achieving their bright future," said the Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Central Board.
Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to the writing of this article
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