Pekanbaru, 23 August 2023 – Around 1000 students from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Riau University held a peaceful demonstration in front of the Riau Province DPRD Building on Friday, 23 August 2023. This action was a form of protest against the emergency situation of democracy which was considered to have damaged democratic order in Indonesia.
Previously, students gave speeches at the FISIP Dean's Roundabout gathering point, accompanied by the leadership of FISIP, Riau University, Deputy Dean for General Affairs and Finance, Dr. Mayarni, S.Sos., M.Sc., as well as the Deputy Dean of FISIP, Chair of PPID FISIP, University of Riau, Dr. Fajriani Ananda, S.Sos., M.Sc., and a number of educational staff from various study programs and departments.
In their speeches, the Governor of BEM FISIP, University of Riau, Rajief Paborsky, Chair of BLM, Pauzi Heriyadi, and all the Regents of the student affairs institution, FISIP, University of Riau, highlighted various issues which were considered signs of worsening democracy in Indonesia, such as the rise of nepotism and abuse of power by state leaders. The students expressed their aspirations peacefully.
Dr. Mayarni, S.Sos., M.Si., in his oration said, "Mother supports the struggle of our children who do not remain silent seeing the condition of democracy which is increasingly deteriorating day by day. Students as agents of change must be at the forefront in maintaining the integrity of the nation. Mother prays for Your struggles have all been successful for the sake of the soul of this nation."
By wearing a black ribbon on his left arm which is a symbol of the death of democracy, Dr. Mayarni, S.Sos., M.Sc., released thousands of FISIP students and directly supervised their action at the Riau Province DPRD Building with tight security from the police.
Dean of FISIP, Riau University Dr. Meyzi Heriyanto, S.Sos., M.Si., who had just arrived from out of town, was also waiting for the presence of FISIP students from Riau University in the courtyard of the Riau Province DPRD Building.
The students wore sky blue alma mater jackets and orange ribbons on their left arms fighting for true democratic values. Students carried out demonstrations without a time limit until their demands were met.
-RR-