Palace: No Deal Reached Between VP Gibran and Student Protesters
Palace: No Deal Reached Between VP Gibran and Student Protesters
Palace - Indonesia’s Vice President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, concluded a meeting with student representatives from the University of Bung Karno (UBK) Student Executive Board (BEM) without achieving any consensus, as reported by Nico Harjono, a member of the Vice Presidential Special Staff. The encounter, held at the Vice President’s Palace on June 15, 2026, came in response to a student-led protest under the banner “Restructuring Indonesia.” During the demonstration, activists handed over a memorandum detailing various policy demands to the government.
Nico Harjono stated that Gibran listened to the students’ concerns but did not agree to any of their proposals. “No consensus was achieved. The Vice President only listened,” he told reporters at the Central Jakarta palace. According to Harjono, the Vice President received and examined the memorandum, which included recommendations and critiques on several issues, such as the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) initiative. The document highlighted the students’ frustrations with the program’s implementation and its effects on local communities.
Among the students’ key requests was a temporary halt to the nationwide school meal program. Harjono noted that Gibran defended the initiative, emphasizing its role in supporting vulnerable populations in Indonesia’s remote, underdeveloped, and frontier regions—collectively known as 3T areas. He stated that the Vice President remained open to assessing the program’s execution in these regions while upholding its core goals. “This is a government program that offers substantial benefits, particularly to the elderly and pregnant women in 3T areas,” Harjono added.
Acting Secretary to the Vice President, Al Muktabar, confirmed that all student concerns and proposals would be evaluated for potential follow-up actions. “Any subsequent steps will be taken within the Vice President’s authority and in line with existing laws and regulations,” Al said. The memorandum, which resulted from an internal policy review, grouped the students’ demands into four main categories. These clusters covered fiscal and educational policies, legal and civil supremacy matters, monetary and energy concerns, and broader societal impacts.
Key Demands from the Students
Under the fiscal and education cluster, the students called for a moratorium on the MBG program and requested a transparent audit of its operations. They also urged the government to reallocate part of the program’s budget toward tuition assistance and funding for higher education institutions. This, they argued, would help reduce financial barriers for students and promote more equitable access to education.
In the legal and civil supremacy category, the protesters demanded that regional governments submit formal recommendations to the House of Representatives (DPR) to trigger a legislative review of the recently passed Police Law. The students believed the law needed adjustments to better reflect the needs of citizens and ensure accountability within the law enforcement sector.
Regarding monetary and energy policy, the students advocated for stronger measures to stabilize the rupiah and mitigate further currency fluctuations. They also opposed any proposed increases in non-subsidized fuel prices, claiming such hikes would erode public purchasing power. “We also demand that the government immediately cancel any increase in non-subsidized fuel prices because it would undermine people’s purchasing power,” said Muhammad Abdi Maludin, chairman of the UBK Faculty of Law Student Executive Board, who represented the students during the meeting.
Additionally, the students emphasized the need for the government to address the long-term sustainability of the MBG program. They suggested evaluating its distribution mechanisms and ensuring that resources reach the intended beneficiaries effectively. While Gibran acknowledged the program’s importance, he stressed the necessity of maintaining its broader objectives, even if adjustments were made to its implementation.
Context and Timeline of the Protest
According to Tempo’s observations, the student representatives entered the Vice President’s Palace at approximately 05:25 PM local time and departed around an hour later at 06:30 PM. The meeting followed a day of demonstrations that had drawn significant attention from the public and media. The protest, organized under the “Restructuring Indonesia” banner, focused on systemic issues within the country’s governance and social welfare policies.
The students’ decision to seek an audience with Gibran was part of a larger effort to influence policy changes. Their memorandum was prepared after a thorough internal assessment and outlined specific demands aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and equity in government programs. The 3T areas, which are often overlooked in national policies, became a central topic of discussion, as the students highlighted the disparities faced by residents in these regions.
Harjono described the students’ concerns as reflective of broader societal challenges, including economic inequality and access to essential services. He noted that the meeting provided an opportunity to voice these issues directly to the Vice President, who was seen as a key figure in shaping national policy. However, the lack of agreement underscored the complexity of the negotiations and the differing priorities between the students and the government.
Maludin, representing the Faculty of Law student group, added that the protest was not just about immediate financial relief but also about long-term structural reforms. “The students are not only focused on the MBG program but also on ensuring that all policies are designed with the needs of the most vulnerable in mind,” he explained. The students argued that the current approach to social welfare programs often neglects the unique challenges of remote communities, where access to basic services is limited.
The meeting at the Vice President’s Palace marked a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue between students and the government. While no deal was struck, the exchange highlighted the students’ commitment to pushing for policy changes and their willingness to engage with high-level officials. The lack of consensus may lead to further discussions or actions, depending on the government’s response to the memorandum.
As the students left the palace, they expressed hope that their proposals would be considered in future policy decisions. “We believe our voices will be heard, and the government will take these demands seriously,” Maludin said. The protest and subsequent meeting underscored the growing influence of student activism in Indonesia’s political landscape, as young citizens continue to demand accountability and reform from leaders at all levels.