PDIP Denies BEM Bersatu Allegations of Involvement in Student Protests Against Free Meals Programme

Jakarta – Spokesperson for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Guntur Romli, has firmly stated that his party was not involved in student demonstrations rejecting the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. The statement was made in response to allegations from the United Student Executive Boards (BEM Bersatu) alliance.

“The accusation linking student protests against the MBG programme to PDIP is baseless slander, absurd, and undermines the integrity of the students’ moral movement,” Guntur said in a statement on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.

BEM Bersatu spokesperson Rahmat Djimbula had previously indicated political involvement, citing the use of a luxury Toyota Fortuner SUV by protest leader Tiyo Ardianto. The vehicle is allegedly owned by Siti Nuraeni, the sister of retired Lieutenant General Setyo Sularso. Setyo’s name was then linked as the in-law of retired General Andika Perkasa, who was part of Ganjar Pranowo’s campaign team during the 2024 presidential election.

Guntur systematically dismantled the allegations. “Connecting the ownership of a vehicle (a Fortuner) belonging to a civilian (Siti Nuraeni), then drawing a line to a sibling relationship (Setyo Sularso), then further linking it to an in-law relationship (Andika Perkasa), and finally jumping to the conclusion that PDIP is behind the student protests, is a clear logical fallacy,” he stated. “In social and political reality, the political choices between siblings or in-laws are not necessarily the same and cannot be carelessly generalised.”

He further asserted that PDIP has never funded or assigned its officials and cadres to involve themselves in the technicalities of student movements. “Accusing every critical action of being a political order is an outdated attempt to silence dissent and degrade the pure moral movement of students voicing the people’s aspirations,” Guntur explained.

He urged the BEM Bersatu alliance to stop spreading manipulative narratives that lack a factual basis. “Stop belittling the student movement with cheap partisan accusations. Let us prioritise substantive debate and a healthy exchange of ideas, rather than busying ourselves with finding fault through a ‘cocokologi’ logic of car ownership that has absolutely no connection to party policy lines,” he concluded.