Budiman Sudjatmiko's Statement After Evacuation from UGM: We Should Have Had a Healthy Discussion

A discussion forum attended by several state officials at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) was stormed by a number of students on Monday evening (15/6/2026). The students rejected the speakers present, one of whom was Budiman Sudjatmiko, Head of the Poverty Alleviation Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin).

The former activist from the New Order era regretted the action taken by the students during the forum held at the Joglo Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas (GIK) UGM. According to him, the discussion should have been conducted in a healthy manner without any disruption.

“We should have been able to have a healthy and smooth dialogue. I was willing to discuss with the students, but unfortunately the conditions were no longer conducive,” he said via a statement confirmed on Monday (16/6/2026).

According to Budiman, the event, which also featured Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nurson Wahid and Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono, initially proceeded normally. Several students attending the forum also followed the discussion well.

However, some students suddenly entered the building when he began to speak. Initially, they sat in the gallery area. Budiman admitted he had been discussing the government’s guarantee towards those who frequently offer criticism, particularly to UGM Student Executive Board (BEM) Chair Tiyo Ardianto. According to him, the government will never silence anyone from expressing their opinion through dishonourable means.