BEM Nusantara Says Government Will Not Forbid Students To Take Action: This Country Is A Democratic State

BEM Nusantara Coordinator for Java Island Ahmad Marzuki after meeting the Presidential Advisory Council, in Jakarta, Friday (8/4/2022). ANTARA/Indra Arief Pribadi

JAKARTA - The Nusantara Student Executive Board (BEM) said the government did not prohibit students from taking action in expressing their opinions and aspirations.

BEM Nusantara Coordinator for Java Island Ahmad Marzuki said in his meeting with the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres), the government still gave freedom to students to express their aspirations.

"No, it's not like that. This country is a democratic country, there are no restrictions. The government still gives freedom to express aspirations," said Marzuki as quoted by Antara, Friday, April 8

Marzuki explained that internally BEM Nusantara could not confirm whether to participate in the simultaneous demonstration by BEM throughout Indonesia at the Merdeka Palace on Monday, April 11.

Therefore, they chose the audience route by meeting the Chairman of the Wantimpres Wiranto on Friday afternoon.

"It's not necessarily (taking part in the action) if we are still in the internal study stage. Regarding this fuel issue, our assessment is still not perfect," said Marzuki.

His party has conveyed to the Government through the Wantimpres to immediately follow up on the cooking oil cartel that has harmed the public as consumers.

The chairman of the Wantimpres, Wiranto, said that the meeting with BEM Nusantara was with the permission of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and to absorb aspirations regarding issues currently facing the nation.

Wiranto conveyed the many aspirations voiced by BEM Nusantara, including the issue of rising cooking oil prices, the alleged existence of a cartel, and the issue of rising prices of basic commodities ahead of Idul Fitri.

BEM Nusantara also expressed aspirations regarding the imposition of taxes, the issue of national energy security, and the refusal to extend the presidential term to three terms which resulted in the postponement of the 2024 election.

For information, BEM SI stated that they would continue to hold demonstrations at the Merdeka Palace on April 11 with the main demands of refusing to extend the presidential term or postpone the election.

BEM SI will also bring a total of 18 demands to the action later. In addition to the postponement of the 2024 election or a three-term term of office, students also urged stability in prices of basic necessities and guarantees for the availability of basic goods for the community. Then demands that the Government cancel Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation.