August 26, 2026 | 11:17 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) Chairperson Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan stated that the organization has yet to determine its stance on a planned demonstration by the United Pati Community Alliance (AMPB) at the House of Representatives (DPR) on August 27, 2026.
Even so, BEM UI will coordinate with AMPB before deciding whether to participate in the rally.
"If we coordinate, it will be today. Their demands are clear," said Athof, as Yatalathof is commonly known, when reached on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Through this coordination, BEM UI seeks to clarify which groups will participate and the main objective of the demonstration. According to Athof, this information is needed to determine whether BEM UI will join the protest or support it via social media.
"So far, no decision has been made, but board members were recently informed that some members want to take to the field," Athof explained.
AMPB plans to hold a demonstration demanding the immediate enactment of the Asset Forfeiture Bill and the death penalty for corruptors. Athof considers these demands a fundamental right of the public to express. BEM UI also sees an urgent need to strengthen anti-corruption enforcement.
"So, what AMPB is demanding is indeed their right and something worthy of being voiced," Athof said.
BEM UI believes that fortifying anti-corruption measures is not tied to a single demand alone. According to Athof, several other areas require strengthening, including law enforcement institutions.
"Including aspects related to law enforcement institutions. But as an initial step, this initiative is certainly a good thing," he said.
Thus, BEM UI has not confirmed whether it will adopt AMPB's demands if it decides to join the demonstration. The final decision will be determined through internal deliberations.
"The earliest decision will be made on August 26. As for the timing, we are still discussing it internally," he said.
The student from the University of Indonesia's Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) also highlighted the government's response to a previous demonstration at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout. According to him, this serves as one of the key considerations for BEM UI in shaping its stance.
Athof criticized the government for failing to respond to previously conveyed demands. He also argued that officials are displaying lavish lifestyles in the middle of ongoing disasters.
"So, based on that alone, we could already predict there would be no response. And as it turns out, there is indeed no response at all," he said.
Nevertheless, Athof emphasized that students have many ways to convey their aspirations if public demands go unheeded. He noted that expressing aspirations can range from dialogue and formal hearings to small-scale actions and mass demonstrations.
"Some approaches begin with constructive communication, such as formal hearings," he explained.
He recalled Bung Hatta's ideas in the book Demokrasi Kita (Our Democracy). According to Athof, when rulers enact policies that oppress the people, there are numerous ways to voice protest.
"So, for us, as students who are part of the people, we will always return to the public," Athof said.
Read: Jakarta Police Deny Plan to Arrest Pati Activist
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