REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA-- Indonesian Student Executive Body Alliance (BEM SI) refused the invitation from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who asked them for dialogue at State Palace. However, the students will accept the invitation if the discussion is conducted openly.

“We will only accept to meet Mr President if the discussion held openly and can be witnessed directly by public,” said BEM SI Coordinator, M. Nurdiansyah in his official statement on Friday.

In addition, Jokowi was asked to address a number of demands from students which listed in the ‘Declaration on Completing Reformation in a strict and thorough manner. Nurdiansyah asserted the meeting or discussion must guarantee that there would be  concrete policies in order to create a better society.

According to Nurdiansyah, every aspiration of students came from public anxiety due to the incompatibility of state policies for the people. He stated all of these demonstrations will not occur if the state is willing to open up and be able to hear what the public wants.

“All of our demands have been conveyed clearly in the demonstrations and also through media channels. Therefore, what is necessary needed is not a meeting, but the firm attitude of Mr President to fulfill our aspirations,” Nurdiansyah explained.

Since Tuesday (Sept 24), thousands of university students from different campuses protested against several controversial bills outside House of Representatives building in Jakarta. The mass demonstrations turned violent. It was believed to be the biggest student protest since 1998.

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