Students Take Action On The Streets, Megawati: It's Nothing, Already Demonstration, Today's Children Understand, Don't You?

JAKARTA - The Chairperson of the PDI-P (PDIP) who is also the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Megawati Soekarnoputri criticized the student demonstrations held at the Indonesian Parliament Building and several other cities in the country on April 11.

He wondered why they took to the streets even though the country's condition was not as critical as when he served as the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia in 2008.

"Of course, from a political point of view, there's nothing wrong with demonstrations, I think today's children understand or not," said Megawati at the BRIN event, quoted from BRIN Indonesia's YouTube, Wednesday, April 20.

Megawati also ensured that Indonesia would survive despite the global financial crisis. This belief has even been conveyed to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) some time ago based on his experience.

"Don't be afraid, I have faced the global financial crisis, and we, Indonesia, are surviving," he said.

In fact, Megawati also said that the community's economic condition had begun to gradually recover. Thus, he advised Jokowi to prioritize handling the pandemic and health.

"Of course, from the economic side (Indonesia, ed) it has decreased. But, it's not topsy-turvy, we can still live. I see now in the markets after the release of the PPKM rules, women are flocking to buy new clothes and so on, " he said.

"Is it true that we fell into depression (economic crisis, ed)? No, no, three times, yes, no! No, no, no," added Megawati.

Megawati also said that President Jokowi had clearly rejected the postponement of the 2024 General Election (Election).

There is also the discourse of postponing the election to be one of the demands of students when they take to the streets. Mega is sure that the postponement of the election will not happen.

"I am entering politics. In 2024, it is clear, the president is clear that there is no delay," he concluded.