TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The University of Indonesia (UI) has stated that it has never received an official request or notification from the Vice President's Secretariat regarding the involvement of UI students in Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's working visit. This statement follows the participation of Daffa Ulhaq, a student of the Faculty of Humanities at UI, in Gibran's visit to several regions on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
UI Rector Heri Hermansyah emphasized that the university has never appointed, delegated, or officially assigned Daffa to participate in the said agenda. Based on internal checks, he stated that there is no record of UI receiving an official request or notification from the Vice President's Secretariat.
Regarding the mechanism of inviting the concerned students, Heri stated, "It is beyond our administration, so it is more appropriate to confirm this with the Vice President's Secretariat," when contacted on Friday, June 19, 2026.
According to Heri, UI respects the right of every student as an adult citizen to take part in various activities outside the campus in a personal capacity. However, the university encourages student involvement in external agendas to be coordinated with their study programs or faculties so that the university can provide adequate support.
Previously, Vice President Gibran brought along five students from various universities on a working visit to Ende, Gorontalo, as well as several regions in Papua on June 18-21, 2026. These students became involved amid a growing wave of protests by students criticizing several government programs, such as Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) and the Red and White Village Cooperatives.
In addition to Daffa from UI, the students who participated in the visit were Keletus Sakaro from Sanata Dharma University, Nolan Christopher Adam from Pelita Harapan University, Salsabila Maulida from the Indonesian Institute of Arts and Culture, as well as one other student from a different university.
Gibran stated that student involvement is part of an effort to strengthen supervision of the implementation of the MBG and Red and White Village Cooperative program in the region. He mentioned that this step is a follow-up to various aspirations expressed by students regarding the implementation of government priority programs.
"I extend my gratitude to all fellow students who have expressed their aspirations peacefully. Thank you for the constructive input," Gibran said in a written statement on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
According to him, direct student involvement in monitoring programs can ensure transparent, accountable, and targeted implementation. He hopes that student participation in the working visit can strengthen collaboration between the government and the younger generation in overseeing government programs.
Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to the writing of this article
Read: Why Did VP Gibran Invite 5 Students on His Eastern Indonesia Tour?
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