UI Student Demonstration Concludes, Sudirman Road to Bundaran HI Reopened
Traffic flow on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman towards the Bundaran HI roundabout has been reopened after a demonstration by University of Indonesia (UI) students concluded on Tuesday (18/8).
Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, said the student aspiration rally in front of the University of Indonesia had ended safely and remained conducive.
“We would like to thank the students who today conveyed their aspirations and everything proceeded in a conducive manner,” he told reporters on Tuesday (18/8).
On that occasion, he also explained why the demonstrators were not permitted to enter the Bundaran HI area. Budi said it was not feasible because the location serves as an economic centre and hosts foreign consulates.
“Shopping centres, economic centres, transport modes, including consulates of foreign countries,” he explained.
“If traffic flow stagnates in the Bundaran HI area, it will cause congestion extending to Patung Kuda, Semanggi, and Sudirman,” he added.
Earlier, the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) held a demonstration with the theme #MerebutKemerdekaan (Seizing Independence) at Bundaran HI, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (18/8).
BEM UI Chairman Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan said the protest was deliberately held one day after the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia to question the meaning of the independence being celebrated.
“One day after the state ceremony was held, we took to the streets not to celebrate, but to ask loudly: what kind of independence are we celebrating?” he said in a written statement.
The following are the eight demands brought by BEM UI in today’s demonstration:
Stop the state’s colonisation of its own people
Stop Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism (KKN)
Realise genuine agrarian reform
Lower the prices of basic necessities and fuel
Conduct a total evaluation of National Strategic Projects (PSN) and halt the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) and KDMP programmes
Stop the centralisation of power, the reduction of Regional Transfers (TKD), and restore regional autonomy
Declare a national disaster status for the Sumatra and Flores regions and accelerate recovery in disaster-affected areas
Stop repressive actions and TNI-Polri intervention in civilian spaces and disband YON TP