Indonesia student rallies grow nationwide as PDIP faces allegations over demonstrations

TheIndonesia.co - Student-led demonstrations have continued across Indonesia, with protests taking place not only in Jakarta but also in several other cities and regions. The rallies reflect a range of concerns, largely centred on economic issues and government policies that students argue are not aligned with public interests.

Among the demands voiced are calls to cut state budget waste, reduce the prices of basic necessities and fuel, and scrap the Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG) programme. Protesters have also raised objections to the Merah Putih Village Cooperative initiative and what they describe as the presence of militaristic practices in civilian spaces.

Students have further expressed concern over the alleged use of state apparatus to suppress dissenting voices critical of the government.

Allegations of PDIP involvement in student protests

Amid the wave of demonstrations, allegations have emerged suggesting that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is behind the student protests.

Suspicion of PDI-P’s involvement stems from several claims, including the alleged presence of senior party figure Andi Widjajanto at a student protest near the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout (Bundaran HI) in Jakarta on Friday (12 June), as well as allegations linking former Universitas Gadjah Mada student executive board (BEM) chair Tiyo Ardianto to the campaign team of presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo.

The accusations were raised by the BEM Bersatu Alliance, which also claimed that Andi Widjajanto had been present at one of the demonstrations.

“Tiyo Ardianto is suspected of having close ties to certain political networks. The Fortuner vehicle used by Tiyo is allegedly registered under the name of Siti Nuraeni, the sister of retired TNI Lieutenant General Setyo Sularso,” said BEM Bersatu spokesperson Rahmat Djimbula.

Rahmat added that Setyo Sularso is the brother-in-law of retired TNI General Andika Perkasa, a key figure in Ganjar Pranowo’s 2024 presidential campaign team.

PDI-P denies involvement

Infographic: PDIP allegedly behind student protests 2026. [Suara.com/Syahda]

The allegations of political interference by senior figures behind the student movement, including protests opposing the MBG programme, were swiftly denied by PDI-P.

PDI-P politician Mohamad Guntur Romli stressed that the party has no connection whatsoever with the student protests. He said claims suggesting otherwise were unfounded and aimed at undermining the independence of student movements.

PDI-P DPP chair Said Abdullah echoed the denial, stating that the party is not involved in the demonstrations in any institutional capacity.

He also clarified that there is no involvement from party cadres or members.

Regarding the reported presence of Andi Widjajanto at the protest site, Said urged observers not to interpret it as reflecting the party’s official position.

“Clearly, as stated by the chairperson, that is not the way PDI-P operates. Including what has been observed by various parties regarding the presence or movements of Andi Widjajanto, it must not be interpreted as representing PDI-P,” Said said.

Said also dismissed suggestions linking retired TNI Lieutenant General Setyo Sularso to the protests as far-fetched.

“If someone has family relations, that is not something that is relevant to politicise. It does not make sense to associate those family ties in that way,” he added.

Why is PDI-P being implicated?

Political analyst Yusak Farchan said speculation about PDI-P’s involvement stems from the party’s currently unclear political positioning.

He noted that PDI-P has not firmly defined its stance within President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

“Its position as a balancing party makes PDI-P appear ambiguous, sometimes pro-government and sometimes opposing it,” Yusak told Suara.com.

He added that the party’s hesitation to join the governing coalition is partly influenced by the continued political presence of former president Joko Widodo within Prabowo’s political circle.

“Politically speaking, PDI-P is essentially bargaining with Prabowo—if they join, Jokowi must be out. This creates a dilemma for Prabowo: stay with Jokowi or bring in PDI-P,” he said.

Despite the allegations, Yusak said PDI-P remains one of the parties most sensitive to student concerns, drawing on its long experience as an opposition party.

He noted that on certain issues, PDI-P and civil society groups, including students, often find common ground, even without formal cooperation.

‘Not free from political interests’

Yusak also argued that it is likely that various political actors may attempt to capitalise on the student movement, particularly groups dissatisfied with current government policies.

“Even without PDI-P’s involvement, it is difficult to say the student movement is 100 per cent free from political interests,” he said.

He also commented on the hashtag #IndonesiaBangkrut, saying the current protests appear more like a reflection of market anxiety than a deep structural analysis of the economy.

According to him, Indonesia is not bankrupt but is facing both global and domestic economic pressures.

On broader political demands, including calls for a “Second Reform era”, Yusak said such narratives are largely rhetorical.

He argued that Indonesia’s major political transformation was completed in the 1998 Reformasi period.

“Reformasi Jilid II is more of a political commodity being traded in the political market, rather than a genuine moral movement,” he said.