Students' Union President: DPR and Govt Betrays Spirit of Reform

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President of Trisakti University’s students’ union Dinno Ardiansyah argues that the government together with members of the House of Representatives (DPR) have collectively betrayed the spirit of Indonesia’s 1998 reformation era by ousting public contribution in its law-making process.

He noted that the country’s executive and legislative body has shown a tendency to rush several Draft Bills widely deemed controversial nearing the end of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s first term.

The most troubling Bill that was passed, he argues, is the Law on the Corruption Eradication Commission or KPK Law that many views as a tool to control and weaken the over-performing anti-graft agency.

“The reformation period of 1998 fought for the people’s involvement in functioning the governmental system. We truly are disappointed with the government and DPR for seemingly betraying past struggles,” said Dinno on Saturday, September 21, 2019.

This setback is widely believed to be the motor behind September 19^th students’ rally at DPR’s Headquarters, which saw university students from numerous universities across Indonesia protesting and declaring their motion of no-confidence against legislators.

The student’s union president confirmed that they will hold yet another rally at the DPR headquarters before Legislators hold a plenary meeting on Tuesday, September 24, in hopes of annulling the controversial law that has been passed.

ADAM PRIREZA