Antara, Jakarta – Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad contacted Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia and Head of the National Nutrition Agency Nanik S. Deyang while receiving an audience with student protesters at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Friday. Sufmi delivered the students' demands to the two state officials by phone.

According to Deputy House Speaker Saan Mustopa, who was also present at the audience, the students were able to directly hear Bahlil and Nanik's responses to their aspirations.

"[The government] is committed to maintaining national economic and political stability," Saan said in a press conference after the audience.

Regarding BGN's free nutritious meal program, Saan explained that the agency has weeded out ineffective spending items, resulting in a budget cut of around Rp70 trillion.

Meanwhile, addressing students' queries on the Pertamax fuel price hike and subsidized fuel scarcity, Saan said Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia pledged to work on these issues, including ensuring the availability of subsidized fuel.

"Political and economic stability are crucial because their impact is far-reaching across various sectors, which is one of the major concerns for the students," he said.

Meanwhile, Trisakti University Student President Dhenni Ribowo hopes the House of Representatives will truly fulfill its role as the channel for public aspirations to the government.

"Don't play around with people's [welfare]. Because once the people go hungry, they become emotional, and the government will certainly feel it," Dhenni said.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2109441/dpr-protest-bgn-chief-minister-bahlil-phoned-to-hear-student-demand