Speaking in Purwokerto, Central Java, on Saturday, Rosyadi warned that the government needs to seriously address the unrest.
“The protests are a reaction to actions by the House of Representatives, especially over their salary increases and the taxes paid by the state,” Rosyadi explained.
He pointed out that ordinary citizens are still paying taxes without receiving enough in return, while government officials are seen as benefiting, deepening the country’s inequality.
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Rosyadi called on the government to narrow the income gap by increasing subsidies or introducing programs that directly help the public. He also urged authorities to manage protests carefully to avoid violence.
“Security forces must be cautious when dealing with protests,” said Rosyadi, who also serves as the Dean of Unsoed’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences.
He referenced the Jakarta protest on August 28, which ended in casualties, warning that such incidents could fuel further anger and tension.
If protests continue and attract more groups, Rosyadi warned the situation could get out of hand. He urged the government and security forces to closely monitor and manage the protests to prevent further harm.
“The government’s main focus should be controlling the situation and preventing more injuries,” Rosyadi emphasized, stressing the need for both social action and peaceful protest management.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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