Bali DPRD Pledges to Forward 18 Student Demands to Central Government Within Three Days
A demonstration by students across Bali was held in front of the Bali DPRD Building on Monday (2/6/2026). The students were received by the Vice Chairman III of the Bali DPRD, Komang Nova Sewi Putra, along with several other council members.
Nova promised that the 16 student demands would be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) within the next three days. Nova emphasised this commitment by reading all the demands aloud in front of the students.
“Automatically, by tomorrow, I will have submitted all the research papers and demands provided by the students to our experts to review and draft a formal letter, which we will then send within two days to both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the DPR RI,” said Nova.
He assured that the Bali DPRD would immediately process the students’ demands. The Democrat Party politician stated that he understands the concerns of the public and students regarding the current national situation.
“As members of the legislature, we are receiving many grievances from the public regarding rising fuel prices. Fuel prices do not only affect the lower class, but also the middle class and others,” Nova added.
I Gusti Agung Ngurah Oka Paramahamsa, Chairman of the Udayana University Student Executive Board (BEM), asserted that if these requests are ignored or if the agreed timeframe is exceeded, students may return to press the Bali DPRD further.
“We hope our trust is well-placed. Our trust is only extended for these three days, as I believe the available resources and strength within the Bali Provincial DPRD are sufficient to convey these issues to the central government,” said Oka.
The 16 student demands are divided into several aspects, including democracy, civil supremacy, and governance; human rights and civil liberties; and economy, fiscal policy, and public welfare.
Regarding democracy, civil supremacy, and governance, students are demanding that the government, including President Prabowo, relevant ministers, and the DPR RI, evaluate the enactment of the National Police Law, which is deemed to have been passed hastily. They also requested an evaluation of the involvement of the TNI (Military) and Polri (Police) in civilian positions to ensure the principle of civil supremacy. Furthermore, they called for an evaluation of the public communication of officials, which is seen as ineffective and dismissive of public aspirations.
They also demanded transparency in the management of the BPI Danantara and urged the DPR RI to expedite the legislative process for the Asset Forfeiture Bill so it can be enacted as soon as possible.
In terms of human rights and civil liberties, the students demanded that Prabowo release all political prisoners unconditionally and cease violence and intimidation against activists as a commitment to protecting citizens. They also called for an evaluation and the removal of Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, who is deemed to have performed poorly. Additionally, the government is urged to investigate all alleged human rights violations in Papua, including the withdrawal of military personnel to guarantee the protection of local rights.
Regarding the economy, fiscal policy, and public welfare, students urged President Prabowo and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, to reform energy subsidy distribution with strict supervision and update subsidy recipient data to prevent potential price hikes for Pertalite fuel.
Furthermore, the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme came under scrutiny. Students demanded that Prabowo, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Nanik S. Deyang, Finance Minister Purbaya, the BPK (Audit Board), and the KPK (Anti-Corruption Commission) evaluate the programme in its entirety, as it affects budget efficiency and raises concerns regarding potential corruption. Such an evaluation is seen as necessary to restore budgets for health, education, regional development, and public services.
The Kopdes Merah Putih programme was also flagged, with students calling for an end to the diversion of village funds to fund this programme.
Finally, Bali students urged the government to stabilise the Rupiah exchange rate against the US Dollar. They suggested taking concrete fiscal and monetary policy steps to restore investor confidence amidst uncertain global dynamics.
“We have great hope that these issues will be resolved carefully, systematically, and structurally,” said the Chairman of Udayana University BEM, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Oka Paramahamsa, during his speech.
He noted that the public is losing trust in the government due to a lack of dialogue that produces concrete solutions. Oka stated that when issues such as fuel price hikes, the MBG programme, or deforestation arise, the government tends to pit citizens against one another.
“These programmes should essentially return to the people; they should be a right of the community, not a source of hardship. Why must we fight? Why must we tear each other down?” he concluded.