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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

The Obstacles UI Students Faced Before Their Latest Jakarta Protest

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • University of Indonesia students faced obstacles before their Jakarta protest, including canceled command vehicles and unavailable transport.
  • Organizers alleged pressure on student groups and drivers not to participate.
  • Despite disruptions, students proceeded with the demonstration using alternative transport.

Students from the University of Indonesia's Executive Board (BEM UI) encountered significant hurdles while attempting to stage a protest in Jakarta. Organizers reported that preparations were marred by the cancellation of command vehicles and the unavailability of numerous Kopaja minibuses, which were allegedly secured by various institutions. Muhammad Hafidz Haernanda, BEM UI's Social and Political Affairs Coordinator, stated that drivers cited pressure from unspecified parties fearing job loss as the reason for their refusal. The disruption extended to alleged intimidation of other student organizations, with claims of authorities visiting campuses and threatening students, including the potential revocation of government scholarships. Despite these obstacles, the students managed to charter public minivans and utilize TransJakarta buses to reach their demonstration site, underscoring their determination to voice their demands.

I don't blame the driver himself because they were, how should I put it, powerless in that position.

— Muhammad Hafidz HaernandaExplaining the alleged pressure on command vehicle drivers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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