Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Leaders of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) met with student representatives who were protesting in front of the DPR building in Central Jakarta on Friday, June 19.
Student representatives from Trisakti University, Esa Unggul University, Mercu Buana University, and the Muslim Students' Association (HMI) met with the leaders of the DPR at 6:00 PM. The meeting, which lasted an hour and a half, yielded several key points.
Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad stated that the DPR had already held an audience with the student representatives.
The Gerindra Party politician stated that the students' demands were directly conveyed to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadlia, and the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik S. Deyang, over the phone.
Dasco mentioned that the students' aspirations for the DPR had also been received. "Insha Allah, we will continue and follow up on this," said Dasco on Friday, June 19.
Deputy House Speaker from the NasDem party faction, Saan Mustopa, presented the key points of the meeting accompanied by Deputy House Speaker, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, and Chairperson of the DPR Commission III, Habiburokhman. They conveyed this when meeting the demonstrators in a command vehicle after the meeting.
The following are the key points from the meeting conveyed by the leaders of the DPR:
1. Release of students
Saan Mustopa stated that the status of 16 students from Trisakti University who were suspects in the commemorative protest of the 27th anniversary of the Trisakti Tragedy in front of the Jakarta City Hall last year would be revoked. The DPR also agreed to release two students from Mercu Buana University who were arrested before the demonstration began.
"Regarding the 16 students from Trisakti, whose status as suspects has not been processed, the Chairperson of Commission III has already communicated. Within the next week, insha Allah, the status of these 16 Trisakti students as suspects will be revoked," said Saan in front of the DPR building.
The Jakarta Metro Police designated 16 Trisakti students who participated in the protest in front of the Jakarta City Hall which ended in chaos as suspects. They were accused of incitement, assault, battery, and resisting officers. At that time, the demonstrators tried to force their way into the City Hall complex and attacked the security officers at the gate.
The police charged the suspects with several articles in the Criminal Code, namely Article 160 on incitement, Article 170 on joint violence, Article 351 on battery, and Articles 212, 216, and 218 on resisting officers. The punishment for these articles ranges from four months to six years in prison.
Meanwhile, two Mercu Buana students were arrested by the police before protesting in front of the DPR building yesterday. They were arrested for carrying gasoline before the demonstration.
2. MBG issue
Saan stated that student representatives conveyed their aspirations directly to the Head of BGN, Nanik S. Deyang, over the phone. According to Saan, the evaluation and review revealed that BGN could save Rp70 trillion from the inefficient budget for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
"If you are still not satisfied, you can ask again, and the DPR will facilitate a direct dialogue," said Saan.
3. Fuel scarcity and price hikes
The leaders of the DPR also mentioned the students' demands regarding fuel scarcity in West Jakarta and other areas. Saan stated that the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, had directly engaged in dialogue with the student representatives. Bahlil, according to Saan, promised to resolve the issue.
"Especially the sudden price hikes, because there have also been global improvements that will be sorted out quickly," said Saan.
4. Promise to facilitate student dialog with the government
Saan also stated that the DPR promised to allow students to engage in direct dialogue with the executive branch. Furthermore, other demands will be communicated and conveyed to the government.
The DPR will convey the students' demands regarding economic stability, political stability, program evaluations, and honorary teachers to the government. "The issues of honorary teachers and such will also be conveyed. The issue of upholding civilian supremacy was also conveyed earlier, and we will directly follow up with the relevant parties," said Saan.
– Oyuk Ivani Siagian contributed to the writing of this article
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2109474/what-was-achieved-at-the-dpr-student-meeting-during-fridays-protes