Coordinating Minister Yusril Pledges to Convey BEM SI Aspirations to President Prabowo

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections (Menko Kumham Imipas), Yusril Ihza Mahendra, received an audience with student representatives from the All-Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM SI) in Jakarta on Thursday (18/6/2026). The meeting was a follow-up to directly hear and clarify the five-point demands presented by students during a protest on 12 June 2026. Yusril stressed that all these aspirations would be compiled into an official report to be forwarded to President Prabowo Subianto. One of the most crucial points in the dialogue concerned the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. Yusril conducted a ‘tabayun’ or clarification to ascertain whether the students were demanding a total halt or merely system improvements. As a result, BEM SI representatives explained that the essence of their demand was an improvement in operational governance. The students acknowledged the tangible benefits of the programme for the community but highlighted gaps in its implementation. ‘I received an explanation that what is meant is an improvement in the governance of the MBG programme because its benefits are also felt. I believe that if what is desired is governance improvement, the government will certainly carry it out,’ Yusril added. In addition to the MBG programme, the audience detailed five main points that formed the substance of the students’ grievances. Yusril reminded them that their critical stance should be conveyed responsibly and based on sharp scientific study. The government, according to him, is very open to constructive criticism in order to perfect national policy.