BEM Bersatu Rejects Student Movements Co-opted by Practical Politics
An alliance of student executive bodies, BEM Bersatu, has declared its rejection of student movements being co-opted by practical political interests. They argue that student movements must serve as the voice of the people, not as tools for power struggles. “We, BEM Bersatu, reject all forms of co-optation of student movements by practical political interests. Student movements must remain the voice of the people, not an instrument for elites in power struggles,” said representative Rahmat Djimbula, Chairman of BEM Hukum UIC, during a press conference in Utan Kayu, East Jakarta, on Tuesday (16/6/2026).
The alliance criticised recent student protests for losing direction due to minimal research and weak argumentation, questioning the prioritisation of issues. “Amidst the basic needs of society, attention is instead drawn to issues that are not of primary urgency. Meanwhile, the Free Nutritious Meal programme, which directly impacts public nutrition and welfare, has become a target of rejection, even though improvements in governance are still necessary,” he stated.
BEM Bersatu also accused one protest leader, Tiyo Ardianto, of having close ties to specific political networks. Rahmat claimed there is a connection between Tiyo and a retired Armed Forces general. “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 sibling of retired Lieutenant General Setyo Sularso, who is the in-law of retired General Andhika Perkasa, a key figure in Ganjar Pranowo’s campaign team during the 2024 presidential election. This suspicion is reinforced by the presence of PDI Perjuangan politician Andi Widjajanto among the masses during the protest,” Rahmat explained. He further noted Tiyo Ardianto’s attendance at a National Dialogue event in Bandung on 18 June 2026 alongside figures such as Said Didu, Roy Suryo, Refly Harun, and Dr Tifa, where retired Lieutenant General Setyo Sularso was also present, indicating a network that warrants scrutiny.
The group also rejected narratives of a national crisis that are not based on complete data, arguing they divert public focus, and expressed regret over the alleged exploitation of student movements by external parties, as clarified by several student executive bodies. “BEM Bersatu will continue to safeguard the purity of student movements to ensure they remain independent, aligned with the people, and free from elite political intervention,” he added.
To this end, they issued several demands: 1. Urging the sterilisation of student movements from political funding, facilities, and all forms of practical political intervention. 2. Supporting the continuation of the Free Nutritious Meal programme with the condition of improved governance to ensure it is well-targeted and accountable. 3. Supporting the thorough investigation of corruptors without discrimination and calling on all Indonesian students to oversee the legal process critically and objectively.
The BEM Bersatu representatives present at the press conference included Wildan Ricky (BEM Faculty of Law UNISIA), Muhammad Yani (BEM Faculty of Law UIJ), Ardi Zulkifly (BEM FISIP UNAS), Ardiansyah (BEM Institut Al-Aqidah), Ahmad Ghazy (BEM Psychology UNJ), Alfi (BEM FEB UNPAM), Rahmat Djimbula (BEM Hukum UIC), Dicky (BEM F.IPS Unindra), Ahmad (BEM Faculty of Engineering Universitas BSI), and Rezky Anandar (BEM Faculty of Social Sciences and Management Administration Institut STIAMI).