This afternoon on Friday October 18, the National Association of Student Executive Councils (BEM SI) held a demonstration in front of the Horse Statue monument on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta.
There were not many protesters at the demonstration and according to Kumparan's observations only around 50-70 students were present.
As of 5.40 pm the speaker at the action was continuing to voice their criticisms of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's administration.
There were at least nine things that they criticised, namely political dynasties, the weakening the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the death of democracy, the commercialisation of education, the destruction of the ecosystem, agrarian conflicts, the weakening of the economy, the loss of civil freedoms and repression by the state apparatus.
Because the demonstration was not attended by many protesters, the traffic on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat was not blocked off by police and drivers were still able to pass through the road.
Even so, traffic around the Horse Statue remained slightly congested with vehicles seen to be creeping along but not paralysed.
So far, there has been no sign of riots or things being burnt by demonstrators and the action proceeded in an orderly manner.
One of the demonstrators however could be seen writing on the road. The male student wrote "Behead the King".
Several demonstrators could also be seen holding posters, one of which was demanding a investigation into and a resolution of cases of gross human rights violations.
The demonstrators also stretched out two banners on a concrete barrier. One of them contained the words "End Game Jokowi, The Law is to be Obeyed, Not Manipulated".
The protesters gave no appearance of doing an about face and leaving and are continuing to demand that the demonstration be allowed to be held in front of the nearby State Palace.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "BEM SI Demo di Patung Kuda, Begini Isi 9 Tuntutannya".]
Source: https://kumparan.com/kumparannews/bem-si-demo-di-patung-kuda-begini-isi-9-tuntutannya-23jyi7IAhSc
