Threats And Hacking Accompany BEM SI Demo Plans At The Palace April 11

Illustration of student demonstration. (Antara/Denis Amran)

JAKARTA - The All-Indonesian Student Executive Board (BEM SI) admitted that it received terror threats from certain parties ahead of the demonstration at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday, April 11.

"There is a [threat]. It's more for our safety," said BEM SI Media Coordinator Luthfi Yufrizal when confirmed by VOI, Saturday, April 9.

However, it did not explain in detail about the threats. Luthfi only said that threats from certain parties would be carried out if they continued to organize mass actions.

In addition, several members of BEM SI also received terror in the form of hacking. Their cellphones were hacked making it difficult to communicate with other members.

This hack, said Luthfi, had a huge impact on the preparation for action. Because members who are in the area have difficulty getting information. "Communication between the campus units is so constrained and at the national level it is also a bit constrained," said Luthfi.

Regarding the planned demonstration on April 11, BEM SI claims to have sent a notification letter to Polda Metro Jaya.

With the inclusion of a notification letter as a condition, the demonstration will continue on April 11.

Lutfi said that thousands of students who are members of BEM SI will take to the streets to voice their aspirations. Especially, regarding the clarity of the discourse on postponing the general election (election) and extending the leadership term of President Joko Widodo.

"Our mass estimate is 1,000 (people) from all universities who are members of BEM SI," said Luthfi.