Yusril to convey BEM SI demands to President Prabowo

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra will convey the demands of the All-Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM SI) in a report to President Prabowo Subianto. He affirmed that the government is open to criticism and views differences of opinion as part of democracy. “I also ensure that freedom of expression remains guaranteed, as long as it is conveyed responsibly and based on study,” Yusril stated in Jakarta on Saturday.

The five student demands to be delivered to the President include stopping the waste of the State Budget (APBN), lowering the prices of staple goods and fuel (BBM), halting the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme and the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih, ending militarisation in the civilian sphere, and urging the President to acknowledge the government’s mistakes.

During an audience with BEM SI in Jakarta on Thursday (18/6), the minister specifically requested clarification from the students regarding the demand concerning the MBG programme. He sought to ascertain whether the students intended a total cessation of the programme or improvements to its governance. He received an explanation that the demand was for improved governance, as the programme’s benefits had already been felt.

He stated that the MBG programme was implemented by the President to enhance public nutrition and was also expected to stimulate economic circulation at the community level, including through the involvement of business actors, livestock breeders, fishermen, and local food suppliers. The government is open to input regarding improvements to the programme’s management. He expressed confidence that if the students’ desire was for governance reform, it would receive the government’s attention.

Yusril affirmed that all student input would be accommodated and reported to the President. He considered the dialogue important for maintaining communication between the government and student groups. He also guaranteed freedom of expression so that students can learn to think critically. The attending students welcomed the audience and expressed hope that their aspirations would be forwarded to the President as material for consideration in improving policies that still cause public unrest. The meeting served as a constructive communication space between the government and the students.