Budiman Sudjatmiko Denies Expelling Students in Semarang, This is His Version

Head of the Poverty Eradication Acceleration Agency or BP Taskin, Budiman Sudjatmiko, denied allegations that he had expelled students. (IST)

Head of the Poverty Eradication Acceleration Agency or BP Taskin, Budiman Sudjatmiko, denied allegations that he had expelled students in a discussion forum in Semarang, Friday (12/6/2026).

Budiman said the event that went viral on social media was not complete. According to Budiman, what happened was a debate in a forum, then tension arose after a student refused to listen to his answer.

The discussion entitled "Indonesia Gold or Panic? A Critical Review of Indonesia Today" was held in two sessions. The first session took place at Diponegoro University or Undip. The second session was held at Kafe Embun Senja, Semarang.

In the forum, Budiman was present with BEM Undip and the Chairman of the BEM of Brawijaya University. He explained the latest conditions of government programs and explained President Prabowo Subianto's point of view on a number of programs that have become the focus of students.

Tensions arose in the second session. A student criticized Budiman harshly. He questioned Budiman's commitment and track record as a former activist who now entered the bureaucracy.

"I think you are very hypocritical when you say that the government is not crushing the people," the student said in a forum.

The student also questioned Budiman's objectivity after being in the cabinet. However, according to Budiman, when he was about to answer, the student was preparing to leave the room and invited him to discuss privately outside the forum.

Budiman admitted that he reprimanded the student because he judged that the forum was not appreciated. He said criticism could be harsh, but the forum must still give room for an answer.

"In my opinion, the discussion he wants to propose is no longer about the substantive topic. I ask him to stay in that forum," said Budiman in a written statement received on Saturday, June 13.

He said the objection was because he still had to continue discussions with other participants, including students from HMI Semarang, PMII Semarang, and other groups present.

"He does not appreciate the forum, because I have to continue the discussion with students from HMI Semarang, PMII Semarang, and others," he said.

Budiman regretted that the video clip of the incident went viral on social media. According to him, the clip obscured the main discussion that took place in the forum.

At the end of his explanation, Budiman emphasized the importance of a healthy dialogue space, even though it was colored by harsh criticism.

"The country cannot be built only with anger. The country is built with ideas, arguments, and the ability to present a way out," said Budiman.