Students Hold Demo, Jokowi Observes Market In Bogor

JAKARTA - Students from several universities, one of which is a member of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the University of Indonesia (UI) held a demonstration. However, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was not in Jakarta.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono said President Jokowi is currently reviewing markets in Bogor, West Java, and surrounding areas.

"It's just a routine activity. The Bogor direction visits four markets around Bogor", Heru told reporters, Thursday, April 21.

"(Review at, red) in Pasa Cisarua, Ciawi, Bogor", he added.

Previously, students on behalf of the Indonesian Student Alliance consisting of BEM All Indonesia (BEM SI), BEM Universitas Indonesia (UI), and several other universities were still unable to meet President Jokowi or the Palace in today's demonstration.

In the Arjuna Wiwaha Horse Statue area, Central Jakarta, several campus representatives voiced their speeches. The action participants sat listening to the oration.

To ignite the spirit, one of the orators invited the masses to chant slogans that offended Jokowi.

"Jokowi offside, Jokowi offside, Jokowi offside!" exclaimed the action participants accompanied by the blowing of the whistle like a soccer referee, Thursday, April 21.

Representing the mass of action, one of the orators admitted that they were disappointed that Jokowi was not currently at the Palace, so they could not directly convey the seven demands of the students.

"We came here to voice our demands to the president, but today he is not at the Palace", said Trisakti University Student Vice President, Nihaya.

Here are the seven demands of students in today's action:

1. Strict action against constitutional criminals and reject the discourse of extending the term of office of the president.
2. Lower the price of necessities and overcome economic inequality.
3. Take firm action against all repressive actions against civil society with a strict and non-discriminatory mechanism.
4. Realize scientific, free, and democratic education.
5. Pass the pro-people bill, reject the pro-oligarchy bill.
6. Realize true agrarian reform.
7. Complete all human rights violations.