The University of Indonesia\u2019s Student Executive Board (BEM UI),\ntogether with a number of student and civil society elements, will stage\na protest at the Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout on Tuesday (18\/8\/2026).\nThe action, titled #MerebutKemerdekaan (Seizing Independence), is being\nheld to question the meaning of the independence celebrated today.<\/p>\n
BEM UI Chairman Yatalathof Ma\u2019shum Imawan said the action was\ndeliberately scheduled exactly one day after the 81st anniversary of\nIndonesian independence. According to him, the momentum provides an\nopportunity for students to question anew the meaning of independence\nthat has so far been celebrated through state ceremonies.<\/p>\n
\u201cA day after the state ceremony is held, we take to the streets not\nto celebrate, but to ask loudly: what kind of independence are we\ncelebrating?\u201d he said in a statement on Monday (17\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n
He said that 81 years ago the nation\u2019s founders proclaimed\nindependence and chose the path of a republic. This was done because the\ncountry does not belong to rulers or businesspeople, but to all the\npeople.<\/p>\n
Today, however, the government is deemed to have mortgaged\nsovereignty through trade agreements that submit to foreign interests.\nMeanwhile, the people\u2019s voice continues to be repressed.<\/p>\n
Athof, as Yatalathof Ma\u2019shum Imawan is known, assessed that the law\nhas so far been sharp downwards but blunt upwards. On the other hand,\nprosperity has also become an illusion when jobs are scarce. Meanwhile,\nthe free education and healthcare promised by the constitution have yet\nto materialise. At the same time, the nation\u2019s wealth is accumulating in\nthe hands of a few.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not merely an economic crisis. This is a sovereignty\ncrisis,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He assessed that the Prabowo-Gibran administration has shown a face\nof power that is fond of giving speeches about sovereignty but forgets\nto uphold it. The republic that was promised to be sovereign, just and\nprosperous has now been reduced to an annual slogan without\nsubstance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe security apparatus is busier securing power than securing the\npeople\u2019s right to be heard,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In the action to be held tomorrow, Athof apologised to Jakarta\nresidents who will be affected by traffic congestion. However, the\ntraffic jam will only last a few hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeanwhile, the structural congestion, the congestion of job\nopportunities, and the congestion of justice that has been imposed for\n81 years continues to worsen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He stated that there will be eight demands to be conveyed in\ntomorrow\u2019s action. The first is to demand that the government stop the\ncolonisation of the people by the state itself. Second, to stop\ncorruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN). Third, to realise genuine\nagrarian reform. Fourth, to lower the prices of basic necessities and\nfuel.<\/p>\n
In addition, BEM UI also demands that the government conduct a total\nevaluation of National Strategic Projects (PSN) and stop the Free\nNutritious Meals (MBG) and KDMP programmes, stop the centralisation of\npower, stop cuts to Regional Transfers (TKD) and restore regional\nautonomy, declare a national disaster status for the Sumatra and Flores\nregions and accelerate the recovery of disaster-affected areas, and stop\nrepressive actions and TNI-Polri intervention in civilian spaces and\ndisband YON TP.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is only the beginning. Students, workers, farmers, teachers,\ntraders, and all the people who feel that this republic is being\nbetrayed by its own ideals, let us seize back true independence,\u201d Athof\nsaid.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bem-ui-to-stage-protest-tomorrow-questioning-the-meaning-of-independence-1786971171", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }