BEM Bersatu Rejects Student Movements Allegedly Exploited for Practical Political Interests
The BEM Bersatu alliance has declared its rejection of any alleged exploitation of student movements by practical political interests. They urge that the student moral movement be returned to its independent path as the voice of the people, rather than becoming a tool for elite power struggles.
Spokesperson for BEM Fakultas Bersatu, Rahmat Djimbula, assessed that the recent escalation in student demonstrations has begun to lose direction due to a lack of thorough analysis and weak arguments and substance in the field. He outlined several indicators that strengthen the suspicion of practical political agendas infiltrating recent student protests. One such indicator relates to the discovery of luxury facilities and the involvement of certain elite networks behind field coordinators.
“We see strong indications of practical political actors’ involvement in this movement. One of the protest leaders, Tiyo Ardianto, is suspected of having close ties to a particular political network. The Fortuner vehicle he used is allegedly registered under the name of Siti Nuraeni, the younger sister of retired Lieutenant General Setyo Sularso, who is the in-law of retired General Andhika Perkasa, a key figure in Ganjar Pranowo’s 2024 presidential campaign team,” Rahmat stated on Tuesday (16/6/2026).
Rahmat added that the suspicion was reinforced by the presence of PDI Perjuangan politician Andi Widjajanto among the demonstrators. Furthermore, Tiyo Ardianto’s track record includes attending a National Dialogue Forum in Bandung alongside opposition figures such as Said Didu, Roy Suryo, Refly Harun, dr. Tifa, and retired Lieutenant General Setyo Sularso.
BEM Bersatu also expressed regret over the alleged misuse of university institution names by external parties, a matter that has been clarified and denied by several university BEM boards, including those from the State University of Jakarta (UNJ) and Indraprasta PGRI University (UNINDRA).
Beyond the issue of neutrality, Rahmat criticised the priority scale of the issues raised by the student group. He argued that the crisis narrative being pushed is not based on complete data and distracts public attention from other crucial agendas, such as overseeing major corruption cases currently being handled by law enforcement.
Rahmat expressed surprise that the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG), which directly impacts the basic needs of the lower classes, has become a target of outright rejection. “At a time when the basic needs of the people are paramount, attention is being diverted to issues that are not the main urgency. Meanwhile, the Free Nutritious Meals Programme, which has a direct impact on nutrition and public welfare, is being rejected, although we agree that improvements in governance are necessary,” he explained.
To safeguard the dignity and purity of the student movement in Indonesia, BEM Bersatu has officially issued three main demands. First, they urge a total cleansing of the student movement from all forms of funding, luxury logistical facilities, and intervention driven by practical political interests. Second, they support the continuation of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme with the condition of improved governance to ensure it is well-targeted, transparent, and accountable. Third, they support the thorough investigation of corruptors by law enforcement officials and call on all student elements to oversee the legal process critically and objectively.