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BEM UI refuses meeting Jokowi in Palace

Source
Tempo - September 27, 2019

Budiarti Utami Putri, Jakarta – The Student Executive Body (BEM) of all faculties in the University of Indonesia (UI) rejected President Joko Widodo's invitation to meet and have a dialogue at the State Palace.

Chairman of the BEM UI's Faculty of Social Sciences and Political Sciences (FISIP) Tierry Ramadan said they still want Jokowi to finalize the demands declaration.

"We have decided not to accept the invitation and continue to demand the government and DPR to settle the Reformation Completion Declaration," Tierry said in a written statement, Friday, September 27.

BEM UI also criticizes Joko Widodo for only inviting the media, and not the public, when addressing the current situations; from problematic laws to forest fires.

Since last week, a wave of students and civilians have been protesting in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building. They voiced protests against problematic bills, forest fires, the criminalization of activists, to the repressive actions of the authorities in handling demonstrations.

"These do not only affect students but also the society at large," Tierry said.

The president previously said he would meet with student representatives, but did not specify how many campus representatives were invited and where the meeting would take place.

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow we will meet with the students. Mainly from the BEM (Student Executive Board)," Widodo said at the State Palace, Jakarta, today, Thursday, September 26.

Previously, the Indonesian BEM Alliance also stated that they refused Jokowi's invitation. If there is a meeting, they want it held in an open space and broadcasted live on national television – not in the Palace or other closed spaces. BEM SI also continues to urge Jokowi to fulfill their demands in a strict and thorough manner.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1253099/bem-ui-refuses-meeting-jokowi-in-palace

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