DIY BEM Forum Stages Demonstration at Jogja's Zero Point, Demanding Activist Protection Bill

The DIY Forum of Student Executive Bodies (Forum BEM DIY) organized a mass rally titled Reformasi Jilid 2 in Jogja. The demonstrators pressed the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka on various issues including democracy, human rights, and public policy.

From the DIY DPRD office, the crowd moved toward Titik Nol Kilometer, voicing their demands as they marched. They carried banners reading ‘Tuntaskan Pelanggaran HAM’, ‘28 Tahun Reformasi Diperkosa’, and ‘Forum BEM se-DIY Menggugat Prabowo-Gibran’.

Faturahman Djaguna, the General Coordinator of Forum BEM DIY, said many past problems remain unresolved by the government. He argued that current conditions show a regression in democracy.

“Pelanggaran HAM tidak boleh diputihkan. Supremasi sipil dan supremasi hukum hari ini telah merajalela. Aktivis diintimidasi, tahanan politik banyak, penyampaian pendapat juga diintimidasi,” he said after the rally on Thursday (21 May 2026).

During the protest, Faturahman noted that Forum BEM DIY also highlighted several government policies, from the National Strategic Projects (Proyek Strategis Nasional, PSN), the Free Nutritious Meal programme (MBG), to Operation Merah Putih.

Faturrahman said they oppose the PSN, which they say harms indigenous communities. He added that the MBG programme is not aligned with community needs and could burden state finances.

“We are asking for budget-heavy programmes to be redirected toward workers’ welfare, free education, and creating more job opportunities,” he said.

He explained that the Reformasi Jilid 2 narrative arises because students believe the 1998 reform is not fully resolved. According to him, reforms so far have only toppled the New Order regime, but have not comprehensively touched political parties and bureaucracy.

“We need a more substantive democracy. Activists are still silenced and discriminated against, so Reformasi Jilid 2 becomes important,” he said.

In the rally, Forum BEM DIY also carried two main demands: to push for the passage of the Indigenous Peoples Bill and the drafting of the Activist Protection Bill.

“We want to convey two major propositions today. First, pass the Indigenous Peoples Bill. Second, draft the Activist Protection Bill,” he concluded.