PDIP's Sharp Response to BEM UBK Allegedly Receiving Rp20 Million After Meeting Gibran

The chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Deddy Yevri Sitorus, has spoken out regarding allegations that student representatives from Bung Karno University (UBK) received a bribe after meeting Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. A total of 15 students from UBK, MH Thamrin University, and Terbuka University were received by Gibran following a demonstration in the Patung Kuda area of Central Jakarta. During the protest, the students presented several demands to the government, including a temporary halt to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme and the reallocation of its budget to support higher education operational costs.

Deddy Sitorus assessed that there are parties who direct or hijack every student movement that stages a protest. He noted that PDIP is often accused by the public of orchestrating demonstrations to criticise the government. “This shows that in every commotion, in every student movement, there are indeed parties with the potential to hijack it. Unfortunately, the ones being accused and the ones actually doing it are often not the same. We are accused of hijacking student movements,” he stated.

On the other hand, Deddy Sitorus admitted he does not know whether the UBK students were directed by Vice President Gibran or if it was the initiative of another party. He argued that such movements hijacking students do not originate from subordinates, but rather directly from their superiors or leaders. “This kind of cheap orchestration certainly does not come from the bottom, but from the top,” Deddy Sitorus said. He urged the public not to accuse PDIP of being the mastermind behind demonstrations criticising the government. “I think this is a lesson for all of us not to make careless accusations. Because sometimes, the people hiding behind the scenes find it easier to carry out cheap manoeuvres like this,” he concluded.

Previously, the confession of Muhammad Abdi Maludin, Chairman of the UBK Faculty of Law Student Executive Board (BEM FH UBK), shocked the public after a video of his statement went viral on social media. In the video, Muhammad Abdi Maludin admitted to receiving bribe money for a student demonstration at the State Palace in Jakarta on 15 June 2026. According to his confession, the total amount received was Rp20 million. The funds were then distributed to several students, with each receiving between Rp1.5 million and Rp2 million.