Student Integrity Must Be Upheld Amidst Various Conflict Issues
Jakarta, VIVA – The integrity of the student movement has come under scrutiny following circulating information regarding the alleged involvement of the Universitas Bung Karno (UBK) Student Executive Board (BEM) in accepting bribes related to student protests. Although these allegations remain a matter of public attention, various parties have reminded of the importance of preserving the dignity and independence of the student movement.
Deputy Secretary General of the Gerindra Party and Chairman of the Honour Council of the Central Executive Board of the Marhaenis Youth Movement, Didi Mahardhika, expressed his concern over the developing issue. According to him, if the allegations are proven, it could impact public trust in the student movement, which has long been known as a moral force and agent of change.
‘I am very concerned about the actions of the UBK BEM, which have the potential to damage student integrity. The name of the student movement could be tarnished if practices like those reported are true,’ he said in a statement on Sunday.
Mahardhika assessed that students hold a strategic position in democratic life, acting as a conduit for public aspirations and as a watchdog over the running of the government. For this reason, he believes idealism and integrity must be continuously upheld so that public trust in the student movement is maintained.
‘Students as agents of change must hold fast to their idealism and not be provoked by efforts that could erode public trust. The student movement is expected to be a force that absorbs the people’s aspirations while serving as a control mechanism against those in power,’ he said.
He also reminded that the student movement should remain independent and not be influenced by the interests of certain groups. ‘Criticism from the student movement must not be co-opted by the interests of certain political elites. The student movement must remain independent and side with the people’s interests,’ he stressed.
According to Didi, criticism delivered by students is part of a constitutionally guaranteed democratic mechanism. However, he believes that such criticism should be directed towards strengthening the oversight function of government policy implementation. ‘The student movement should oversee and evaluate programmes, not stop them,’ he said.
He referred to a number of recent student actions that raised the issue of ‘Towards Indonesia’s Bankruptcy’ and called for the cessation of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) and the establishment of the Village Red Cooperatives (KDMP).