Soeparno said in a statement received here on Thursday, all the demands and aspirations voiced by the people are valuable input for both parliament and political parties to improve themselves.
“At the National Mandate Party (PAN), we continue to make improvements by listening to the public’s feedback, which certainly includes the 17+8 agenda,” said Soeparno, who also serves as PAN’s Deputy Chairperson.
He added that the demands serve as an important foundation for his party to refine its cadre development strategy. “This also applies to us who currently carry the mandate from our chairman as the leadership of the MPR,” he said.
He noted that various inputs have also been received from constituents and religious organizations that echo public aspirations.
“PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan has also met with Muhammadiyah Chairman Haedar Nashir and received many inputs that will certainly be implemented as part of the party’s reform agenda,” he added.
As a leader of the MPR, Eddy reaffirmed his commitment to fostering dialogue and discussions with various stakeholders in a constructive atmosphere.
One of the ways, he said, is through the MPR Goes to Campus program, which has been held at 31 universities and attended by thousands of students, lecturers, and professors.
“In the MPR Goes to Campus program, we provide a wide space for academic communities to share input, evaluations, and even criticism,” he said.
“This proves that the space for dialogue is always open, and aspirations can be conveyed in any way as long as it is without violence and without damaging public facilities,” Eddy emphasized.
On Thursday, the House of Representatives (DPR) also formally received the 17+8 public demands document from the Kolektif 17+8 Indonesia Berbenah, a network of civil society organizations, communities, new media, and individuals including influencers.
Several public figures present to submit the document included Jovial da Lopez, Jerome Polin, Abigail Limuria, Andovi da Lopez, Fathia Izzati, and Andhyta F. Utami.
The document was received by Deputy Chair of Commission VI and Member of the DPR’s Public Aspirations Body, Andre Rosiade, at the Pancasila Gate of the Parliament Complex in Jakarta.
Andre pledged to immediately deliver the document to the parliamentary leadership.
Mass protests by students and civil society groups have surged since late August, calling for “17+8 People’s Demands.” These include short-term demands due by September 5, and longer-term reforms expected by August 31, 2026.
Immediate demands include forming an independent probe into police violence, ending military involvement in civil security, releasing detained protesters, and prosecuting human rights violators.
Protesters also oppose lawmakers’ new salary perks and urge investigations into their wealth and conduct.
On labor, demonstrators are calling for fair wages, a halt to mass layoffs, and dialogue with unions. They also demand the military and police respect civil space.
Longer-term goals focus on structural reform, including cleaning up parliament, political party reform, tax justice, passage of an asset seizure law, and strengthening anti-corruption and human rights institutions.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Arie Novarina
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