PDIP denies BEM Bersatu's claims of controlling student protests

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has strongly denied accusations from the BEM Bersatu alliance that it is connected to Tiyo Ardianto, a former chairman of the UGM student council who has been critical of the Free Nutritious Meal Program.

PDIP spokesperson Guntur Romli called the claims of a connection "baseless slander" and a "forced logical fallacy." He specifically addressed the alliance's assertion that PDIP was behind student actions opposing the meal program, linking it to Ardianto. Romli argued that such conclusions, particularly those based on Ardianto's ownership of a Fortuner vehicle, are a clear error in reasoning.

BEM Bersatu had reportedly based its affiliation claim on the Fortuner, which they stated belongs to a civilian named Siti Isnaei. This individual is allegedly the sister-in-law of retired General Setyo Sularso, who is the father-in-law of PDIP cadre Andika Perkasa. Andika Perkasa was part of the Ganjar-Mahfud campaign team and a candidate for the Central Java gubernatorial election.

Romli countered that political choices within families, such as between siblings or in-laws, do not automatically translate to shared political affiliations. He stated that PDIP has no involvement in, nor does it fund or facilitate, student protests concerning the Free Nutritious Meal Program. He further asserted that the party has not assigned any officials or cadres to engage in the technical aspects of student movements, deeming the accusations an "insult to the critical reasoning and independence of students."

Adding to the denial, Romli noted that several student bodies listed under BEM Bersatu have reportedly disavowed any connection to the alliance. He suggested that individuals within BEM Bersatu might not represent genuine student organizations, referring to them as "student-beasts" (mahasewa) rather than "students" (mahasiswa).

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Menghubungkan kepemilikan sebuah kendaraan (mobil Fortuner) milik seorang warga sipil (Siti Nuraeni), lalu ditari ke hubungan persaudaraan (Setyo Sularso), kemudian ditari lagi ke hubungan besan (Andika Perkasa), untuk kemudian melompat pada kesimpulan bahwa PDI Perjuangan berada di balik aksi mahasiswa, adalah sesat pikir (fallacy) yang nyata.