Bandung – The issue of forest and land fires (karhutla) and the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program became the focus of students during a demonstrations at the West Java Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) building in Bandung city on Wednesday October 28.

The protesters from various different campuses began arriving at today's action, which coincides with the 98th anniversary of Youth Pledge Day, at around 2.30 pm .

Bandung College of Law (STHB) Student Senate Chairperson Alhady said that in general, the demands being conveyed covered three main areas, education, health and law.

"Overall, there are more or less three points of demands. As mentioned before, there is education, health and also actual law", said Alhady during a break in the action.

According to Alhady, the action, which was held to coincide with Youth Pledge Day, was a reminder for students to continue to convey their aspirations and monitor public issues.

"We are highlighting a number of areas that are considered to need attention, from education and health to legal and democratic issues", he said.

Another student, Hegya Rifandy, said that this time round the action was motivated by students' concerns about the current condition of Indonesia. According to Rifandy, students have taken to the streets several times, but the problems are still a concern. 

"Students themselves have also taken to the streets several times to convey their aspirations. But, to this day, Indonesia's situation is not good at all. We also know that there are many complaints from the public", he said.

According to observations the location, the participants took turns conveying their criticisms of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

These included asking the government to be serious about handling forest and land fires and carrying out an evaluation of the MBG program.

In addition to this, the protesters asked the government to really create 19 million jobs in line with Prabowo-Gibran's promise during their election campaign.

Meanwhile the demands at the student action were as follows:

1. Health and disaster management

Ensuring that the Social Security Management Agency (BPJS) funds can be directly used for health services at posts, providing masks and evacuating vulnerable groups.

Auditing corporations at fire points, prosecute companies proven to be negligent and revoking their permits, and opening access to international assistance.

2. Education and employment

Temporarily suspend the operations of MBG Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) kitchens that do not yet have Hygiene and Sanitation Eligibility Certificates (SLHS) until they pass laboratory tests. Conduct regular independent audits involving the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), the Ministry of Health and the Ombudsman.

Remove the Halal Product Assurance Organising Body (BPJPH) budget from the education budget through the 2027 APBN. Divert the budget for honorary teacher allowances and part-time Work Contract Government Employees (PPPK) to a minimum equivalent to the Regency Minimum Wage (UMK).

Disclose victim data and laboratory test results and protect schools that report MBG poisoning cases.

Publish data on the creation of 19 million jobs every quarter verified by the National Statistics Agency (BPS). Provide tax incentives and electricity relief for companies that do not layoff (PHK) workers.

Expanding business partnerships and vocational training for layoff victims and stabilise food prices through State Logistics Agency (Bulog) market operations and cutting distribution chains.

Determine minimum wages based on decent living needs and inflation through transparent tripartite negotiations. Divert non-urgent project budgets to strengthen social protection.

3. Democracy and law enforcement

Stop violence against activists and content creators and investigate the intellectual actors behind attacks. Guarantee freedom of worship and take firm action against the persecution of places of worship.

Open draft laws to the public with a minimum participation period of 30 days. Encourage the House of Representatives (DPR) to hold open meetings, listen to affected citizens and carry out its oversight function transparently.

Ensure that draft laws and academic texts are prepared openly through meaningful public consultations. Quickly stop discussion of draft laws without public participation.

Open data on cases of corruption and violence by government officials, from reporting to court decisions. Ensure that ethical and criminal sanctions against officials who violate human rights are carried out through open justice.

Evaluate policies every year and revoke regulations that are detrimental to society. (mcr27/jpnn)

Notes

On October 28, 1928, Indonesian students and youth gathered in Jakarta to declare the Youth Pledge – generally accepted as the first open declaration of Indonesian independence – which called for a united independent Indonesia under the theme of "One Nation, One People, One Language". It was the first time that a substantial body of anti-colonial activists committed themselves to an independent united nation with Malay as the national language.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Demo Saat Hari Sumpah Pemuda, Mahasiswa Bandung Bawa 3 Tuntutan Penting".]

Source: https://www.jpnn.com/news/demo-saat-hari-sumpah-pemuda-mahasiswa-bandung-bawa-3-tuntutan-penting