Deputy Minister Sudaryono Speaks Out After Discussion Halted at UGM

Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono has spoken out regarding the incident where a discussion was stormed by students at the Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas (GIK) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Sleman, on Monday evening (15/6). Sudaryono was present to accompany Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid and Budiman Sudjatmiko, with the intention of holding an open and democratic dialogue with students.

"We came to UGM specifically to discuss. This event had been planned for a long time and had received permission from the university," Sudaryono said in a statement on Tuesday (16/6). According to Sudaryono, he and the other speakers opened the widest possible space for students to ask questions or criticise government policies. However, in the middle of the forum, Sudaryono stated that a group of participants did not want the discussion to continue, leading to an unconducive situation.

"We managed to discuss for about 30 to 40 minutes. But then there was a group of people who wanted the forum stopped. In fact, the majority of students actually wanted to listen and engage in dialogue," he said. Sudaryono himself chose to remain at the location with Nusron Wahid. He believes that dialogue is the best way to resolve differences of opinion. However, the situation escalated after water was thrown and alleged physical actions took place.

"I felt someone hit me. There was also water thrown. Because the situation was no longer conducive, security personnel advised us to leave," he said. Sudaryono also denied claims that he left the location to avoid dialogue. "On the contrary, we came to discuss. In fact, when our car was blocked and we were being sought after, we got out again and sat cross-legged on the asphalt to continue the dialogue," he asserted.

During the spontaneous discussion, a number of students conveyed criticism regarding land issues and alleged evictions. Sudaryono claimed he was open to directly verifying every issue raised. "If there really is an eviction or a specific agrarian problem, let’s check it together. I am even ready to use my personal funds to visit the location and see the problem firsthand," he said. He emphasised that the government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto is open to criticism and upholds democracy.

Sudaryono also apologised to the students who had attended but were unable to participate in the forum optimally due to the incident. "I apologise to the students who actually wanted to have a good dialogue. We are ready if invited again, whether in Yogyakarta or Jakarta. The important thing is that we discuss," he concluded. It was previously reported that the Kopdar forum, which initially ran smoothly, turned unconducive when a number of students rushed onto the stage while Budiman Sudjatmiko was speaking. The group, acting on behalf of the UGM Student Alliance, stated the action was a form of criticism against the government. "They [the government] are not fit to talk about Pancasila while Indonesia still silences the people’s voice, still considers criticism a disturbance, and still wastes the people’s money on useless programmes," said Mesa from the UGM Student Union (SEMA) on Monday evening (15/6). According to Mesa, the chase would not have occurred if the officials had been willing to engage in discussion and answer questions from the students. "The chase actually happened because they [the speakers] were avoiding us," he said. Mesa stressed that UGM students do not reject the arrival of government officials. However, they demand that those who come do not bring fabricated data.