Alleged UBK BEM Receives Money, This Is Mahardhika Soekarno's Response

JAKARTA - Deputy Secretary General of the DPP Gerindra Party and Chairman of the Honorary Board of the DPP Marhaenis Youth Movement, M. Mahardhika Suprapto, S.I.Kom., S.H. (Mahardhika Soekarno), spoke up about the dynamics of the Bung Karno University (UBK) campus recently.

Mahardhika expressed his concern about the issue that has developed regarding the alleged BEM UBK (Student Executive Board of Bung Karno University) who was involved in the receipt of a certain amount of money in a dispute or the implementation of student actions.

According to Mahardhika, if the allegations are proven through legal proceedings, the impact is not only detrimental to the personal individuals involved, but also has the potential to hurt public confidence in the dignity of the Indonesian student movement.

"I am very concerned if the information that is developing is true. If the allegation is proven, this issue is not only about one or two people, but also about public confidence in the student movement as an agent of change and the moral strength of the nation," said Mahardhika in Jakarta, Sunday (28/6/2026).

Clarification of Status at the Soekarno Education Foundation

As the son of the late Rachmawati Soekarnoputri - a national figure and founder of Bung Karno University - Mahardhika admitted that he had a very strong emotional bond with UBK. However, he felt the need to provide a clear clarification regarding his current position at the campus.

He emphasized that since his mother died in 2021, he had absolutely no involvement in the operational management of the university or the structure of the Soekarno Education Foundation which oversees UBK.

"Since Mrs. Rachmawati died, I have no longer been in the management structure of the foundation or the university. Therefore, I do not know directly the internal dynamics that are happening now. However, as the son of the founder, of course I feel sad when the campus that was built with great ideals is now a public concern due to news like this," he explained.

Mahardhika reminded that the late Rachmawati Soekarnoputri founded UBK not only as a place to pursue academic values, but also as a place to shape the character, nationalism, and moral courage of the younger generation. Therefore, he urged the university and foundation to immediately conduct a thorough evaluation of the organization's student organization.

Maintaining the Independence of the Student Movement

Furthermore, this Gerindra politician also asked the public to remain wise and not generalize this problem to all UBK students or other student movements in Indonesia.

"Don't let a few people's actions, the good name of thousands of students at Bung Karno University and the Indonesian student movement be tarnished. If there are indeed individuals who are proven to have committed violations, let them be processed according to the applicable legal provisions," he said.

For Mahardhika, the main dignity and essence of the student movement is independence that is free from the cooptation of certain tactical and economic political interests. Criticism of the course of the wheel of government is a legitimate constitutional right, but its moral legitimacy must remain intact in the eyes of the public.

"Student movements should monitor and evaluate the implementation of government programs objectively. Constructive criticism will strengthen the quality of public policy, not weaken the spirit to build the nation," he added.

Highlight Student Actions Related to National Issues

On the other hand, Mahardhika also highlighted a number of student demonstrations in recent days that raised various sensitive national issues. Some of them include supervision of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) to the existence of the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP).

According to him, the delivery of these aspirations is fully protected by law. However, he suggested that the focus of student criticism should be directed at aspects of transparency, accountability, and effectiveness so that the state program can really be felt directly by the lower classes.

"Differences of opinion are part of democracy. The most important thing is how the criticism is still built objectively, responsibly, and really aims to improve the implementation of policies for the benefit of the community," said Mahardhika.

Closing his statement, Mahardhika emphasized that his response was purely born from a deep sense of concern for the lofty ideals of the founder of UBK.

"Student power has never been born from the size of the funds owned, but from the courage to think, integrity, honesty, and siding with the people. I hope the Bung Karno University will again be a home for the birth of leaders of the nation who maintain idealism, not mortgage it," concluded the son of the late Rachmawati Soekarnoputri.