Minister Mahendra to relay student board demands to Prabowo

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra will convey the demands of the Indonesian Student Executive Board (BEM SI) in the form of a report to President Prabowo Subianto.

He emphasized the government's openness 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 expressed responsibly and based on research," he said, as confirmed on Saturday.

The students' five-point demand list for the president includes an end to wasteful government spending under the state budget, lower prices for basic commodities and fuel, the cancellation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) and Red and White Village Cooperative programs, a stop to the militarization of civilian life, and a presidential acknowledgment of government failings.

In an audience with BEM SI on Thursday (June 18), Mahendra specifically requested an explanation from the students regarding their demands on the MBG program.

The minister sought clarification on whether the students were calling for the program to be abolished entirely or for its implementation to be improved.

He later learned from the board that the objective was to enhance the program's governance, given that its benefits had already been recognized.

Mahendra also explained that the President launched the MBG program to improve nutritional outcomes among the public, while also fostering local economic growth through the participation of businesses, livestock farmers, fishermen, and food suppliers across the regions.

He stated that the government is open to input regarding improvements to the program's governance.

He also affirmed the right to freedom of expression, emphasizing its importance in helping students develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

The students in attendance welcomed the audience and expressed hope that their concerns would be relayed to the president and taken into account in efforts to improve policies that triggered public dissatisfaction.

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Translator: Agatha Olivia, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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