PDIP Criticises Budiman Sudjatmiko's UGM Discussion: 'It Seemed Like a Provocation'
PDIP Central Executive Board Chairman, Deddy Sitorus, has criticised a discussion involving three high-ranking state officials held at Joglo GIK UGM, Sleman, DIY, last Monday (15/6) night. The event failed to conclude as planned because it descended into chaos following protests from several groups of students at the location.
Deddy stated that, ethically, the incident was regrettable. However, in the context of accumulating mass anger at that specific time, he noted that the potential for such an occurrence was difficult to avoid.
Consequently, Deddy questioned the committee’s decision to proceed with the discussion. He assessed that the choice of time and venue appeared to be a form of provocation.
“I actually question the choice of place and time for that activity, which ignored the current dynamics; it gave the impression of being provocative and indifferent,” he said when contacted on Thursday (18/6).
According to Deddy, the activity should have been organised much earlier, or after conditions had become more conducive, whilst also addressing the demands of student protests. “Therefore, it is clear that this activity had the potential to cause friction from the very beginning,” he added.
Deddy also took aim at Budiman Sudjatmiko’s status as a former activist who has been within the halls of power for the last 12 years. He argued that this status has created a significant distance and a barrier between him and the students.
According to Deddy, Budiman cannot continue to reminisce or romanticise his past as if he were still part of the student movement, because Budiman is now part of the establishment.
“It seems he is unaware that his status as a former activist is the only currency he uses to remain within the circles of power,” he remarked.
The event was a collaboration between Kopdar Bareng Mas Dar, NYL, and Total Politik. The gathering was attended by Minister of ATR/BPN Nusron Wahid, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono, and the Head of the Poverty Alleviation Agency, Budiman Sudjastingko.
In the event titled ‘Kopdar Bareng Mas Dar: Pancasila, the Unifier of the Indonesian Nation’, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi was scheduled to attend, according to the event poster. However, based on observations on the day, Prasetyo was not present on stage.
In a press release issued a day after the discussion, Sudaryono provided a clarification regarding the incident at GIK UGM. He claimed that he, alongside Nusron and Budiman, arrived at UGM with the intention of engaging in 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. This was not the first event of this kind,” Sudaryono stated.
“We do not mind being questioned on any matter. We do not mind being judged; we are here to engage in democratic dialogue,” he added.
However, during the forum, Sudaryono mentioned 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 a group of people wanted the forum to be stopped, even though the majority of students actually wanted to listen and engage in dialogue,” he revealed.
He admitted that he and Nusron Wahid remained at the location because they believed dialogue was the best way to resolve differing views. Sudaryono denied allegations that he and his entourage fled the location to avoid dialogue.
“If anyone says that Sudaryono and Nusron fled, that is incorrect. In fact, we were the ones who came to discuss. Even when our car was intercepted and we were being sought out, we came out again and sat cross-legged on the asphalt to continue the dialogue,” he asserted.
Concluding his statement, Sudarymono emphasised the government’s commitment to continuing to open spaces for dialogue with various elements of society.
Separately, Budiman stated that the forum, which was intended to be a space for exchanging ideas, was forced to end prematurely after the situation inside the room heated up.
“We should have been able to have a healthy and smooth dialogue. I am willing to discuss with students. But unfortunately, the situation was not conducive,” Budiman said in a statement following the event.
Budiman noted that he did not actually mind staying inside the building to meet the students. However, security personnel decided to evacuate him due to concerns that the situation might become uncontrollable.