BEM UI Urges Government to Stop Deceiving the People
The University of Indonesia Student Executive Body (BEM UI) has called on the government to stop deceiving the public regarding the current state of Indonesia. This statement is a response to remarks made by President Prabowo Subianto, who suggested that the US dollar exchange rate has no effect on people living in rural areas.
“To the President and the Finance Minister, stop deceiving the people. Because the people are not as foolish as you, who turn a blind eye to the actual conditions,” said the Chairman of BEM UI, Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan, in a written statement released on Sunday night, 17 May 2026.
Athof, as Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan is known, expressed astonishment that President Prabowo Subianto could make such a statement regarding the rising dollar against the rupiah having no impact on rural areas.
“Whether it is because the President is foolish or his subordinates are foolish, the fact remains that when the dollar exchange rate continues to rise, rural people are highly vulnerable to the impact,” Athof stated.
According to Athof, a rising dollar leads to increased fertiliser prices, which results in losses for farmers. Similarly, a stronger dollar poses a risk of rising fuel prices, as fuel is still purchased through import mechanisms.
“Fishermen suffer losses, and the cost of living for labourers and their families will increase because prices in local shops will also rise,” Athost added.
Furthermore, Athof questioned the optimistic statements made by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa regarding the current economic situation, describing such claims as hallucinatory.
“Lastly, the Finance Minister joked, ‘Do not panic because the economic foundation is good.’ If Indonesia’s economic foundation is indeed good, why is the rupiah exchange rate the lowest in Southeast Asia, second only to the Philippines, which is currently facing fuel shortages?” Athof asked.
“The question is whether the economic foundation is truly good, or if you are simply hallucinating and forgetting that we are actually the second lowest in Southeast Asia,” he continued.
Consequently, BEM UI has requested that the government cease using rhetoric to mislead the public. “Because the people are not as foolish as you, and the people do not turn a blind eye to the real conditions. We are the ones who feel the impact most acutely, unlike you, who do not need to worry about what you will eat tomorrow,” concluded Athof.