Surabaya – Hundreds of students from the National Association of University Student Executive Bodies (BEM SI) held a protest action in front of the East Java (Jatim) Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) in the provincial capital of Surabaya on Monday August 12.
The protesters were comprised of students from a number of different campuses in Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Lamongan and Malang, as well as other civil society groups.
"Welcome to the era of reformati", read one of the banners brought by the protesters – a play on words meaning the death (mati) of reformasi, the political reform process that began in 1998. "Reformasi in the era of Jokowi (President Joko Widodo)", read another.
East Java BEM SI coordinator Aulia Thaariq Akbar or Atta said they were criticising the state of reformasi which they believe has worsened further towards the end of President Widodo's leadership, whose term in office will end in October.
"Our action is taking up the crown of Jokowi's sins and his decaying sores in Jatim", said Akbar, who is also the president of BEM at the Airlangga University (Unair) in Surabaya.
Akbar then conveyed a number of problems that have worsened reformasi in East Java ranging from human rights issues and agrarian conflicts to institutional reform.
"First, we demand that the government ensure that an investigation into the Kanjuruhan [2020 football stadium stampede] Tragedy is carried out to the fullest extent possible", he said.
The BEM SI also demanded that the East Java provincial government provide decent housing for Gunungsari Rusunawa residents evicted for being unable to pay their rent as well as provide facilities for traders evicted from Jalan Kutisari.
Next, the BEM SI demanded that the government revoke the business permit (HGU) of the company PT Bumi Sari Maju and the release of Muhriyono, a farmer arrested in Pakel Village, Banyuwangi, over a land dispute with the company. The also rejected reclamation projects in Surabaya.
"We firmly reject the draft law on Polri [National Police] and the draft law on the TNI [Indonesian military], and reject the commercialisation of education and the curbing of academic freedom. Because the draft law on the TNI will make it very possible for the TNI to return to conducting business as an institution", he said.
The demonstrators also asked the East Java DPRD members to come out and meet them and state that they accepted the students' demands institutionally.
A member of DPRD's Commission A from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction, Hari Putri Lestari, came out and met with the demonstrators on the street and then climbed up onto the students' command vehicle.
"I apologise that only I can receive you. Because the other [lawmakers] are currently monitoring", said Lestari said in the midst of the protesters.
Lestari said that she would accept the points in the BEM SI's demands. However, she admitted that she could not solve it alone. She also promised to discuss it with all members of the East Java DPRD.
"I have received what you want to be conveyed, the points related to human rights violations, agrarian conflicts and institutional reform. It is not me who will resolve it alone, but it will be discussed institutionally by the East Java DPRD", she said.
However Lestari seemed flustered when students grilled her about the handling of the Kanjuruhan Tragedy and was confused when asked whether the case had been investigated thoroughly or not.
"Kanjuruhan, I will try, whether it has or not. Kanjuruhan was [a case of people falling] victim to tyranny at a football stadium, right?", said Lestari followed by cheers from the students.
The dialogue between Lestari and the students also reached a deadlock as the demonstrators continued to ask that they be allowed to enter the East Java DPRD building to continue the dialogue. (frd/isn)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was " BEM SI Geruduk DPRD Jatim, Singgung 'Reformati' era Jokowi".]
