BEM UI to Stage Protest Tomorrow Questioning the Meaning of Independence
The University of Indonesia’s Student Executive Board (BEM UI), together with a number of student and civil society elements, will stage a protest at the Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout on Tuesday (18/8/2026). The action, titled #MerebutKemerdekaan (Seizing Independence), is being held to question the meaning of the independence celebrated today.
BEM UI Chairman Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan said the action was deliberately scheduled exactly one day after the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence. According to him, the momentum provides an opportunity for students to question anew the meaning of independence that has so far been celebrated through state ceremonies.
“A day after the state ceremony is held, we take to the streets not to celebrate, but to ask loudly: what kind of independence are we celebrating?” he said in a statement on Monday (17/8/2026).
He said that 81 years ago the nation’s founders proclaimed independence and chose the path of a republic. This was done because the country does not belong to rulers or businesspeople, but to all the people.
Today, however, the government is deemed to have mortgaged sovereignty through trade agreements that submit to foreign interests. Meanwhile, the people’s voice continues to be repressed.
Athof, as Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan is known, assessed that the law has so far been sharp downwards but blunt upwards. On the other hand, prosperity has also become an illusion when jobs are scarce. Meanwhile, the free education and healthcare promised by the constitution have yet to materialise. At the same time, the nation’s wealth is accumulating in the hands of a few.
“This is not merely an economic crisis. This is a sovereignty crisis,” he said.
He assessed that the Prabowo-Gibran administration has shown a face of power that is fond of giving speeches about sovereignty but forgets to uphold it. The republic that was promised to be sovereign, just and prosperous has now been reduced to an annual slogan without substance.
“The security apparatus is busier securing power than securing the people’s right to be heard,” he said.
In the action to be held tomorrow, Athof apologised to Jakarta residents who will be affected by traffic congestion. However, the traffic jam will only last a few hours.
“Meanwhile, the structural congestion, the congestion of job opportunities, and the congestion of justice that has been imposed for 81 years continues to worsen,” he said.
He stated that there will be eight demands to be conveyed in tomorrow’s action. The first is to demand that the government stop the colonisation of the people by the state itself. Second, to stop corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN). Third, to realise genuine agrarian reform. Fourth, to lower the prices of basic necessities and fuel.
In addition, BEM UI also demands that the government conduct a total evaluation of National Strategic Projects (PSN) and stop the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) and KDMP programmes, stop the centralisation of power, stop cuts to Regional Transfers (TKD) and restore regional autonomy, declare a national disaster status for the Sumatra and Flores regions and accelerate the recovery of disaster-affected areas, and stop repressive actions and TNI-Polri intervention in civilian spaces and disband YON TP.
“This is only the beginning. Students, workers, farmers, teachers, traders, and all the people who feel that this republic is being betrayed by its own ideals, let us seize back true independence,” Athof said.