Jambi – A lecturer said here on Friday that some student groups have hidden agendas for staging protests in the province ahead of the direct elections of regional administrations.

"Some student groups protested against the running of one candidate for regent, while other groups protested against others. This is not healthy for our democracy. The students have abused their right to protest for their own short-term interests," said Sudirman, a noted politics observer from Jambi University.

Furthermore, Sudirman alleged that some groups of students had been used by politicians to promote their interests.

Spokesman of the Jambi National Student Front Ade Jasman concurred, saying that the trend had damaged the students' image. "The students are no longer perceived as being the agents of change. They have been used by politicians to acquire power," said Ade.