Students Caught Taking Part In Student Demonstrations At The DPR And Horse Statues Are Not Sanctioned, DKI Education Office: We Give Guidance

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Education Office will not sanction students who take part in the BEM SI student demonstration on April 11, 2022 around the National Monument (Monas) and in front of the Indonesian Parliament Building, Monday, April 11 yesterday.

Head of Public Relations of the DKI Jakarta Education Agency, Taga Radja Gah, when contacted in Jakarta, Tuesday, said that students who took part in the demonstration would only be given guidance.

"If indeed, there are Jakarta students who are involved or caught because of the demonstration, we will provide educational guidance," said Taga, Tuesday, April 12, quoted from Antara.

Taga said the guidance was in accordance with Pergub Number 86 of 2019 concerning the Prevention and Handling of Violence for Students in Education Units and Environmental Education Units.

He said the guidance provided was in the form of a complete understanding of democracy, the 1945 Constitution and the importance of expressing opinions in public.

"It means we prioritize it," he said.

However, the DKI Jakarta Education Office has not been able to confirm whether any Jakarta students were caught during the demonstration on April 11, 2022 and are coordinating with various parties to monitor and confirm if any students from Jakarta are caught.

"Until now we have not received any information, but we will wait," he said.

Furthermore, Taga was reluctant to comment on the threat from the East Jakarta City Government (Pemkot Jktim) to revoke the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) for students who participated in the All-Indonesian Student Executive Board (BEM SI) demonstration in front of the DPR Building.

"The bottom line is that there is no such sanction from the Education Office," said Taga.

Previously, East Jakarta Mayor Muhammad Anwar said he had held a coordination meeting to anticipate students in his area participating in student demonstrations.

"I think we will think about it later (revocation of KJP) because yesterday, we just talked about anticipation, not sanctions," said Anwar in Jakarta.

Anwar asked the school to participate in supervising the students so that they would not participate in the demonstration in front of the DPR.

"I have appealed according to the results of our meeting yesterday, together with school principals, Kasudin, to pay attention to schools, especially SMKs," said Anwar.

Anwar also hopes that no students in his area will be arrested by the police for participating in a student demonstration in front of the DPR Building.

As previously reported, the student alliance who are members of the All-Indonesian Student Executive Board (BEM SI) held a demonstration in front of the DPR/MPR building on Monday, April 11.

They urged and demanded that the people's representatives listen and convey the aspirations of the people, not the aspirations of the party. After giving speeches, they were met by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Lodewijk F. Paulus, and Rahmat Gobel. The National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo was also present.

Not only that, in their action, the masses also demanded people's representatives not to betray the state constitution by making amendments, firmly rejecting the postponement of the 2024 election or a 3 term term of office.