Rika Ira – The increase in the price of non-subsidized Pertamax fuel (BBM) amidst the weakening of the economy has triggered student demonstrations. In Central Java, student protests were held in three areas, namely Banyumas, Semarang City and Solo.
This demonstration were also triggered by the revelation of corrupt practices in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program which has sucked up a large allocation from the state budget (APBN).
So, what were the student demands at the demonstration that were held?
Banyumas
The student demonstration in Banyumas was held at the Purwokerto Square right in front of the Banyumas regent's office.
The demonstration, which was held on Saturday June 13, was attended by hundreds of students who were members of the Greater Banyumas Anger Movement (Gerakan Banyumas Raya Marah).
This demonstration was marred with tension when the crowd pushed their way into Purwokerto Si Panji Audience Hall. Their efforts were successful and the crowd succeeded in occupying the audience hall at around 5.09 local time.
In the action, the Greater Banyumas students took up five demands. First, an end to budget efficiency cuts that are considered to have had an impact on public services, and stopping various forms of waste in the state budget.
Second, stabilise and reduce the prices of basic necessities and fuel which are considered to be increasingly burdensome to society.
Third, stopping the MBG and the Red and White Village Cooperatives programs which it is considered needs to be reevaluated.
Fourth, reject the practice of militarism and uphold civilian supremacy in national and state life.
Fifth, urging President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to resign from their positions.
These aspirations were then submitted to Banyumas Regent Sadewo Tri Lastiono, who met with the students and promised to forward them to the central government.
Semarang
In Semarang, the student action was initiated by the Diponegoro University (Undip) Student Executive Board (BEM) together with the People's Challenge Movement (Geram) Alliance.
The demonstration was held in front of the Central Java governor's office and the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on Jalan Pahlawan in Semarang City on Friday afternoon June 12.
During the demonstration, the students said that Indonesia is dying. Moreover, they said that government damage to the economy has now reached 90 percent.
Indicators of this damage can be seen in various sectors, including the high issuance of debt securities, the falling rupiah exchange rate and the government's continued ignorance in continuing to maintain money-burning projects such the MBG and the Red and White Village Cooperatives programs.
Yet these projects, which are claimed to be beneficial to society, actually burden the people.
The protesters demanded MBG program efficiency and for the funds to be channelled to social security, fertilizer subsidies, increasing the Social Security Management Agency (BPJS) budget and educational scholarships for the poor.
"It's appropriate for the state to channel the budget to policies that are more productive than the MBG", said BEM Undip Chairperson Nur Majid.
They also asked the government to reduce the price of Pertamax, strengthen the rupiah exchange rate against the dollar within 7 x 24 hours, reduce the price of medicines and immediately carry out an audit on and release funds from the Danantara sovereign wealth fund.
The protesters also asked for the return of farmers' land rights and the abolition of national strategic projects (PSN) for the welfare of the community, cutting official allowances by 20 percent and realising the election promise of creating 19 million jobs.
"We also ask the government to reform the TNI [Indonesian Military] and Polri [National Police] and withdraw officers involved in PSN projects", they demanded.
Solo
In Solo, hundreds of students from various campuses across Greater Solo focused their actions in front of the Solo DPRD building on Friday.
The student demonstration titled "Indonesia Emergency Reform" (Indonesia Darurat Reformasi) took up several demands including stopping the MBG program, mitigating the economy after the rupiah exchange rate weakened, cancelling the recently enacted National Police Bill (RUU Polri), which is considered to threaten the space for civil society, as well as resolving problems at the Putri Cempo Waste Disposal Site (TPA).
"We demand the cancellation of the RUU Polri because today we realise that our civil spaces have been taken away by the armed forces, whether it be the TNI or Polri", said Eleven March University (UNS) BEM Chairperson Revaino Wijaya.
Students in the three regions agreed to hold further actions if the government ignores their demands. (Tribunbanyumas.com/Permata Putra Sejati, Iwan Arifianto, Tribunsolo.com)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Demo Mahasiswa di 3 Wilayah di Jateng, Tuntut MBG Disetop Hingga Prabowo Gibran Mundur".]
