PDIP Urges Government to Act on Student Demands
The Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Said Abdullah, has suggested that the government listen to the aspirations conveyed by students during various protests. He stated that these demands should be followed up with improvements in government policy.
“Be more wise, more prudent, the government should be open to this criticism,” Said said at the DPR complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
He remarked that the student protests arose because of ongoing deficiencies in government policy. He highlighted the governance of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the institution responsible for implementing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) project.
“There are policy deficiencies, such as the governance of BGN which has now become a fact,” Said stated.
The management of the MBG programme came under public scrutiny after three former leaders of BGN were named suspects in an alleged corruption case by the Attorney General’s Office. Said opined that the government is beginning to make improvements through consolidation and budget mapping for BGN.
“Basically, the government has responded, but it is unclear who is communicating this to the public,” said the Chairman of the House Budget Committee.
Previously, elements of the Student Executive Body (BEM) in Jakarta demanded that the government halt the implementation of the MBG project. During a demonstration around the Bundaran HI area in Jakarta on Friday, 12 June 2026, they also demanded the construction of Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (Red and White Village Cooperatives).
In addition to calling for the cessation of the MBG project and the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih, the BEM alliance from Jakarta campuses urged the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka administration to stop wasting the state budget (APBN).
They further demanded that the government lower the prices of staple goods and fuel, halt the militarisation of civilian domains, and called on Prabowo to stop evading responsibility and admit mistakes in the policies made by the government.