Today's news: Wave of student protests and the arrest of Roy Suryo
A number of student protests took place in Jakarta and Yogyakarta to demand changes in government policy. At the same time, the police made arrests related to the case of President Jokowi's alleged fake diploma. Meanwhile, the issue of freedom of expression on campus and local community initiatives also became a major focus.
Students from various universities, including Trisakti University, held demonstrations in front of the DPR building in Jakarta to voice "Tritura" or the Three Demands of the People. In Yogyakarta, students from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) also swarmed an event attended by government officials as a form of protest against the current regime. These actions sparked debates on social media, especially with the emergence of counter-student groups supporting the government's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
The Metro Jaya Regional Police have arrested Roy Suryo and Doctor Tifa regarding the alleged case of spreading information about President Joko Widodo's fake diploma. Both are among eight individuals who have been named suspects by the police. This case stems from allegations they made in public regarding the validity of the President's educational documents.
In the educational environment, student press activists at the University of Indonesia (UI) reported acts of intimidation and doxing—the illegal distribution of personal data on the internet. This occurred after they published content related to LGBTIQ+ issues. The students are demanding that the university guarantee security and a space for free expression for student journalists.
From the infrastructure sector, Gayo residents in Aceh carried out self-help actions or independent fundraising and labor to rebuild the Enang-Enang Bridge. This bridge had previously collapsed due to a disaster, paralyzing the residents' economic activities. The community chose to act on their own because they felt there was no certainty of government assistance to break their region's isolation.
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