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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Sudaryono on UGM Discussion Incident: Never Fled, We Came to Dialogue

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Indonesian Vice Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono clarified an incident during a discussion at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) where he and other officials were present to engage with students.
  • Sudaryono stated they came for an open and democratic dialogue, but a group disrupted the event, leading to a heated situation with alleged physical altercations.
  • He denied claims of fleeing, asserting they remained to continue the dialogue and are open to addressing student concerns regarding land issues and evictions.

Indonesian Vice Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono has addressed an incident at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta, where a planned discussion with students turned chaotic. Sudaryono, along with Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid and Budiman Sudjatmiko, attended the event with the stated intention of fostering open and democratic dialogue.

We came to UGM specifically for a discussion. This event had been planned for a long time and had received permission from the campus authorities. This is not the first such activity.

— SudaryonoClarifying the purpose and prior arrangements for the UGM discussion.

According to Sudaryono, the discussion, which had been planned for some time and received university approval, began smoothly. He emphasized that he and the other speakers were prepared for any questions or criticisms regarding government policies. However, approximately 30 to 40 minutes into the forum, a segment of attendees allegedly sought to halt the proceedings, creating an unconducive atmosphere. Sudaryono claimed that while most students wished to continue the dialogue, the situation escalated with water being thrown and alleged physical contact.

It's okay to be asked anything. It's okay to be interrogated in any way. We are here to engage in democratic dialogue.

— SudaryonoStating his willingness to engage openly with students.

Sudaryono refuted any suggestion that he and his delegation fled the scene to avoid discussion. He recounted that even when their car was intercepted and they were being sought out, they exited the vehicle and sat on the asphalt to resume the dialogue. Students present raised concerns about land issues and alleged evictions. Sudaryono expressed openness to verifying these issues directly, even offering to use personal funds to visit affected locations. He reiterated the government's commitment to democracy and openness to criticism, stating that mistakes should be corrected and that differing opinions must be respected.

If there are evictions or specific agrarian problems, let's check them together. I am even prepared to use personal funds to visit the location and see the problem firsthand.

— SudaryonoOffering to investigate land and eviction issues raised by students.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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