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February 17, 2025 | 07:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presidential Communication Office Head Hasan Nasbi responded to the protest against the free nutritious meal program in Papua. According to him, every individual has the right to reject the program and refuse to enjoy nutritious food.
However, Hasan requested that protesters not demand the cancelation of the free nutritious meal program, as some communities want to enjoy this program.
"If they want to say 'no need to give us (free meals),' that's okay. But if it leads to protests for cancellation and rejection, it obstructs the rights of others," he said at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday, February 17, 2025.
Furthermore, Hasan hoped that the rejection would not lead to violence. Once again, he provided space for the community to express their opinions.
"People are welcome to protest and express their opinions. But don't let it lead to violence," said Hasan.
Thousands of students in Wamena, Papua Highlands, held a demonstration to reject the free nutritious meal program. The police estimated around 3,500 students were participating in the protest.
"The demonstration was attended by junior high, senior high school students, and university students and has been ongoing since this morning," Jayawijaya Police Ops Section Chief Police Commissioner Suparmanto told Tempo through a phone call on Monday, February 17, 2025.
Based on video footage seen by Tempo, the student demonstration was briefly chaotic. The riot occurred around 09:00 a.m. local time when the crowd moved towards the cross tower in front of the Jayawijaya Regent's office. The riot happened on Hom-hom Street, a few hundred meters from the Jayawijaya Regent's office.
National Nutrition Agency Head Dadan Hindayana declined to comment on the rejection of free nutritious meals in Papua. According to him, the rejection concerns other issues in the region.
"This problem is no longer about the nutritious meal program, but it has to do with other issues," said Dadan when met at the Ministry of Village PDT, Central Jakarta, on Monday.
Nandito Putra and M Raihan Muzzaki contributed to this report.
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