Considerations Behind BEM UBK's Acceptance of Mediation with Gibran

The Chairman of the Student Executive Board of the Law Faculty at Bung Karno University (BEM UBK), Muhammad Abdi Maludin, has explained why his group agreed to a mediation invitation from Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The mediation lasted for one hour at the Vice Presidential Palace on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta, on Monday, 15 June 2026. The closed-door meeting was attended by 15 student representatives.

When asked why the mediation was not held openly on the streets, Abdi stated after the meeting, “This was the result of our agreement with the government.” He added that from the outset, BEM UBK had conducted its demonstrations in a structured and orderly manner, and therefore the invitation to mediate needed to be met with an equally positive action.

Abdi also assured that BEM UBK would not change its stance after conveying all of its demands directly to Gibran. “There are no ulterior motives; our good intention in agreeing to mediate is for the sake of Indonesia’s stability,” he said. He added that despite the mediation being closed and represented by only a small number of students, BEM UBK ensured that a firm stance was still communicated to the former Mayor of Solo.

BEM UBK has issued an ultimatum to the second-highest official in the Republic of Indonesia to fulfil all student demands by 19 June at the latest. “We will hold successive demonstrations if the demands are not met within a maximum of 5x24 hours after this meeting,” Abdi declared.

According to Tempo’s observations at the Vice Presidential Palace, the students entered the palace at approximately 5:25 PM WIB and exited at 6:30 PM WIB. During today’s demonstration, BEM UBK and its alliance carried the theme “Reorganise Indonesia” with six demands for the administration of President Prabowo Subianto.

The six demands include temporarily halting and evaluating the free nutritious meal project and the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih programme; reviewing the National Police Law; stopping militarism and enforcing civilian supremacy; urging the government to take strategic steps to maintain the stability of the rupiah exchange rate and national economic resilience; demanding the government provide inclusive, high-quality, and affordable education rights for all Indonesian people; and reviewing the increase in fuel prices as it burdens the public.