Police Block BEM UI Protest, BEM UBK Says Students Have Right to Voice Aspirations

The Student Executive Body (BEM) of Bung Karno University (UBK) has responded to the actions of police and military personnel who blocked a demonstration by the University of Indonesia’s BEM at the Bundaran HI roundabout in Central Jakarta on 12 June. Chairman of the UBK Faculty of Law BEM, M. Abdi Maludin, stated that while the police were following standard operating procedures by blocking the UI students, constitutionally, students have the right to voice their aspirations at Bundaran HI. “Our friends from BEM UI also have the right to speak directly at Bundaran HI because their intentions are good, their goal is simply to convey aspirations,” Abdi told Tempo on 14 June 2026. According to Abdi, BEM UI had already explained their reasons for choosing Bundaran HI as the protest site. He agreed with BEM UI’s reasoning that the government and the House of Representatives (DPR RI) have turned a blind eye and deaf ear to the aspirations of the Indonesian people. Abdi said BEM UBK is also disappointed with the DPR RI for failing to carry out its legislative function of overseeing the government. He asserted that the DPR has lost its bite when faced with government policies that make the people suffer. “So I consider the DPR RI to be government stooges,” Abdi said. BEM Bung Karno University will hold a demonstration to convey demands to President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday, 15 June 2026. The action, planned for 10:00 AM Western Indonesian Time, carries the theme “Reorganise Indonesia”. During the protest, BEM UBK will present six demands, including urging the government to temporarily halt and evaluate the free nutritious meal programme and the Red and White village cooperatives; reviewing the National Police Law; stopping militarism and upholding civilian supremacy. Furthermore, BEM UBK is urging the government to take strategic steps to maintain the stability of the rupiah exchange rate and national economic resilience; demanding the government provide inclusive, quality, and affordable education rights for all Indonesian people; and finally, reviewing the increase in fuel prices because it burdens the public. Abdi estimated that around 200 people from UBK would join the action. However, this number could be higher if other campuses join. Abdi has received word that BEM Pamulang University (Unpam) and Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta (UMJ) have indicated they will join the protest.