The National Awakening Party's Central Executive Board has instructed the PKB's Branch Executive Boards (DPC) and Regional Executive Boards to engage in dialogue with students.
Deputy Chairman of the PKB DPP, Faisol Riza, explained that the instruction was in response to the increasing number of student demonstrations recently, especially the students' demands for the government to stop the Free Nutritious Meals program and the Red and White Village Cooperative.
"PKB views the criticism of MBG and KDMP as a message to the government that for nearly 1.5 years, programs related to food security, developing a superior generation, and strengthening the people's economy have not been communicated evenly to students," Faisol said in a statement confirmed.
In addition, he said the instructions were conveyed to the DPC and DPW ranks because students are an intellectual group that plays a crucial role in overseeing the course of democracy.
"PKB believes that all of us, including our fellow students, can understand that the substance of the government's programs is our shared need at this time," he said.
He also said the instruction was given because PKB is part of the government coalition.
"As part of the governing coalition, PKB is obliged to substantially explain President Prabowo Subianto's priority programs," he said.
Therefore, Faisol added that discussions with students should be held openly, and suggestions for improvements and refinements to various government priority programs should be heard.
"We believe that Gen Z, many of whom are now students, have constructive views that can help the government improve the implementation of these programs," he added.
On the other hand, he said that PKB did not turn a blind eye to various reports of irregularities and legal violations related to the implementation of government programs.
"From a governance and technocratic perspective, significant improvements and refinements are certainly needed. The recent arrest of the head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) also demonstrates that the government is not turning a blind eye to legal violations. We continue to monitor and oversee this process to ensure everything is carried out transparently and in accordance with the law," said the Deputy Minister of Industry.
