How a UGM Discussion Turned Chaotic: Budiman Sudjatmiko's Remarks That Inflamed Students
A discussion featuring several officials from President Prabowo Subianto’s administration at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta ended in chaos on Monday evening, 15 June 2026. Rising tensions inside the room forced organisers to halt the event earlier than scheduled.
The activity, held at the Joglo Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas (GIK) UGM, presented Budiman Sudjatmiko, Head of the Poverty Alleviation Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin); Nusron Wahid, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN); and Sudaryono, Deputy Minister of Agriculture.
Based on videos circulating on social media, the discussion initially proceeded normally. Sudaryono outlined several government agendas, including plans to implement a single-door export system. Meanwhile, Nusron Wahid explained his views on the opportunities various government programmes offer to improve public welfare amidst global economic challenges.
The situation began to shift when Budiman Sudjatmiko delivered his views at the forum. Tensions rose after he invited students to voice their criticism directly, rather than through social media. “If you want to criticise, don’t do it on social media, just do it here directly,” Budiman Sudjatmiko said.
This statement triggered a strong reaction from some participants. The atmosphere of the discussion forum, which had been proceeding normally, turned into an open protest. A number of students moved towards the stage area while voicing criticism against the officials present. In several circulating videos, shouts could be heard calling Budiman a “reform traitor”.
Students also unfurled several banners expressing rejection, including ones reading “Budiman Sudjatmiko Reform Traitor” and “UGM Rejects Regime Sycophants”.
Amid the increasingly heated situation, Budiman Sudjatmiko eventually left the venue. Meanwhile, Nusron Wahid and Sudaryono initially boarded a vehicle to exit the campus area. However, their journey was halted after the vehicle they were travelling in was blocked by students. Both then got out of the car and continued the discussion with students informally. The dialogue took place outside the building, with everyone sitting on the ground together with the forum participants.
Responding to the incident, Budiman Sudjatmiko expressed regret over the failure of the discussion forum. According to him, the forum should have been a space for the exchange of ideas between the government and students.