TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka invited five students from various universities during his work visit to Indonesia's eastern regions on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Gibran, along with the five students, departed for Ende, Gorontalo, and Papua to monitor the implementation of the free nutritious meal program and the Red-White Village Cooperative.
The five students are Kaletus Sakaro from Sanata Dharma University; Daffa Ulhaq from the University of Indonesia; Nolan Christoper Adam from Pelita Harapan University; Rapid Bena Matin from Jenderal Soedirman University; and Salsabila Maulida from the Indonesian Cultural Art Institute of Bandung.
The spokesperson for Jenderal Soedirman University, Dian Bestari Santi Rahayu, said the Vice Presidential Secretariat asked for the university to appoint one student to accompany Gibran on his work visit.
According to her, the university tapped Rapid Bena Matin, the university's Campus Ambassador. "No specific criteria were requested," said Dian when contacted on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Gibran's initiative to involve students in his official activities is deemed politically charged. Gibran is trying to adapt to the recent dynamics in the student movements, according to the Executive Director of Indonesia Political Opinion, Dedi Kurnia Syah.
This wary, he said, Gibran appears to be attempting to show how the Indonesian government is working to respond to student demands. However, this move fails to reflect public expectations.
"Gibran's political pattern follows Jokowi's lead, where populism is used as a shield against public criticism," said Dedi when contacted on Thursday, June 18.
According to Dedi, bringing students to work visits has no positive impact on the quality of the government policies. What Gibran is doing is nothing more than a gimmick, he said.
Vice President Gibran earlier said that involving students in his work visit is part of the efforts to strengthen oversight for the free nutritious meal and the village cooperative programs. The decision, he said, came against the backdrop of student aspirations related to the implementation of the two Prabowo's flagship programs.
Gibran believed that direct participation of students ensures a transparent, accountable, and appropriate governance of the programs. He also expressed hopes for an enhanced collaboration between the Indonesian government and the younger generation.
"I think these moves are important to maintain public trust," Gibran said in his official statement on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Read: Palace: No Deal Reached Between VP Gibran and Student Protesters
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