REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chairman of Student Executive Board (BEM) of University of Indonesia, Zaadit Taqwa held up a yellow card against President Joko Widodo in the university anniversary event. Shortly after the president delivered his speech, Zaadit stood from his seat and held up a yellow card. He was immediately secured and herded out by the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres). 

According to Zaadit, the act was to indicate that the president has been cautioned. He wanted Jokowi to evaluate his policies. 

"The yellow card is a warning for Jokowi to solve the nation's problems," Zaadit explained on Friday (Feb 2).

Prior to Jokowi's visit to his campus, Zaadit and other students have prepared three demands conveyed at a rally in API UI train station. Firstly, BEM UI asked Jokowi to immediately tackle malnutrition in Asmat, Papua. Secondly, Jokowi should not appointing police generals as acting governor in several provinces ahead of regional elections. 

The students reminded that the policy resemble to the dual functions of National Police in the New Order era where active police officers able to hold positions other than at his institution. Lastly, the students opposed the regulation that limit their freedom.

Zaadit said he gave the yellow card to gain Jokowi's attention. He needed the president to respond faster to their demands, especially for the ongoing malnutrition in Papua. "This is a form of sympathy for our friends in Papua, that Papua needs to be noticed as they are part of Indonesian society," he explained.

The yellow card, Zaadit said, was actually a chorus book. He decided to bring the book instead of a card due to tight supervision from Paspampres. 

"It was spontaneous. The plan changed quicly to adapt the situation in the room," he said.

Zaadit ensured the action was not the last one. BEM UI had planned to staged a bigger rally if their demands are not met by the government.

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