If Jokowi's Cabinet Still Plans For President's Extension, 3,600 Students Will Spill To The Streets

JAKARTA - A total of 36 student institutions in Jakarta have issued an ultimatum to the government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) regarding the proposed postponement of the 2024 elections because they are considered to have violated the constitution in order to strengthen power and wealth.

The emergence of the issue of postponing the 2024 election has made a number of students in Jakarta angry and restless. For this reason, 36 elements of Jakarta students will oppose the postponement of the 2024 election and the extension of the president's term of office.

Students called for immediately forming a consolidated resistance to the efforts to postpone the election and extend the presidential term.

This was conveyed by a number of students at the May 12 Reformasi Monument, Jalan S Parman, Grogol Petamburan, West Jakarta, Monday, March 28, afternoon.

Students at Tugu 12 May Reformation/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

The chairman of BEM UI, Bayu Satria, said that his party and a number of fellow students were at the May 12 Reformation Monument due to the students' anger towards the government.

"We are standing here out of anger at the government and the constitution. The government has postponed the election," he told VOI at the location, Monday, March 28, afternoon.

For this reason, based on this anxiety, a number of student representatives in Jakarta immediately made alternative politics. He also invited all elements of students to join together in rejecting the postponement of the 2024 election and the extension of the president's term of office.

"Our demand is to refuse the postponement of the election," he said.

Vice President BEM Esa Unggul and BEM SI Populist Regional Coordinator - BSJB, Muhamad Yusuf added, in this case this joint unrest was accompanied by many demands from the community. Starting from social inequality to economic problems.

"So at this moment, elements of society from Jakarta and the regions will take joint action. We will carry out a large mass movement. Because the proposed extension of the presidential term of office for 3 periods is a clear violation of the constitution," he said.

Pedro Marhaen, a spokesman for the Student Political Bloc, criticized the student action in large numbers if this was continued.

"I emphasize, if Joko Widodo's cabinet still wants to plan a postponement of the election and an extension of the presidential term. (we) will hold a big wave of demonstrations that you have never seen in your entire life," said Pedro.

Pedro detailed that currently 36 student organizations have joined in Jakarta. If 100 students attend each student institution, the mass action will be multiplied by the 36 institutions or about 3,600 students who will take to the streets in the near future.

"In Lampung, Medan, Mamuju has moved. They have provided information that they have consolidated their opposition to the postponement of the election and the extension of the presidential term," he said.