TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Student Executive Board of Bung Karno University responded to the action of the police and the military in obstructing the protest by the Student Executive Board of the University of Indonesia (BEM UI) at Bundaran HI, Central Jakarta, on June 12th.
The chair of the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Law at Bung Karno University, M. Abdi Maludin, stated that the police did adhere to Standard Operating Procedures by obstructing the UI students, but constitutionally, students have the right to express their aspirations in Bundaran HI (HI Roundabout).
"Our friends from BEM UI also have the right to express themselves in Bundaran HI because their intentions are good; they only want to express their aspirations," Abdi told Tempo on June 14, 2026.
According to Abdi, BEM UI has also provided reasons why Bundaran HI was chosen as the location for the demonstration. He agrees with BEM UI's reasons because the government and the Indonesian House of Representatives turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the aspirations of the Indonesian people.
Abdi said that BEM UBK is also disappointed in the Indonesian House of Representatives, which fails to carry out its function as a legislative body, namely overseeing the government. He emphasized that the House of Representatives loses its fangs when the government implements policies that burden the people. "So, I consider the House of Representatives as the lackeys of the government," said Abdi.
The Student Executive Board of Bung Karno University will hold a demonstration to convey their demands to President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, June 15, 2026. The planned action, scheduled for 10:00 AM WIB, will carry the theme "Restructuring Indonesia".
During the action, BEM UBK will convey six demands, including urging the government to temporarily halt and evaluate the free nutritious meal and red and white village cooperative programs; review the Indonesian National Police Law; stop militarism and uphold civilian supremacy.
Furthermore, BEM UBK also urges the government to take strategic steps to maintain the stability of the rupiah exchange rate and national economic resilience; demand that the government provide inclusive, quality, and affordable education to the entire Indonesian population; and lastly, review the increase in fuel prices as it burdens the people.
Abdi estimated that around 200 people from UBK would participate in the demonstration. However, this number could be higher if other campuses join. Abdi received news that the Student Executive Boards of Pamulang University (Unpam) and Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta (UMJ) have expressed their intention to join this action.
Read: List of Student Protests Scheduled Across Indonesia Today
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