TULUNGAGUNG – The Tulungagung DPRD student protest escalated after lawmakers skipped a scheduled public hearing, prompting dozens of students to seal an “aspiration room” inside the local parliament building on April 22.

Students from Universitas Islam Negeri Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung (UIN SATU), led by the Faculty of Sharia and Law Student Executive Council (Dema Fasih), staged the protest after the council abruptly cancelled the session. According to the students, the decision came without clear explanation or alternative scheduling.

Around 2 p.m., the group arrived at the DPRD office expecting direct talks with lawmakers. However, they found the building empty of council members, as all officials had left for an out-of-town assignment.

The situation quickly triggered a dispute with DPRD staff. As a result, the students sealed the aspiration room to pressure lawmakers and demand accountability.

Dema Fasih chairman Aji Dwi Laksono said the protest reflects frustration over what he sees as poor responsiveness from elected officials. He stressed that lawmakers must prioritize public engagement.

“They should come and listen to the people. Instead, they left the office empty,” he said.

Aji explained that students submitted a formal hearing request on April 17. At that point, they aimed to question the DPRD’s oversight role following repeated corruption cases in the region.

“We want clear answers. Why has Tulungagung faced corruption arrests more than once? Where is the DPRD’s oversight function?” he said.

Furthermore, he criticized the late notification of the cancellation. He argued that the council should have assigned at least one representative to meet the students.

“Someone should stay and meet us. They should not all leave at the same time,” he added.

Students said they will keep the room sealed until lawmakers provide official clarification. For now, they plan to continue the protest until the council agrees to hold a direct meeting.

Meanwhile, DPRD officials rejected accusations that they avoided the hearing. Administrative officer Sunu Wijayanto said the council only postponed the session because members attended official duties in Malang.

“This is not a rejection. We only rescheduled it due to official assignments,” he said.

He added that the council is preparing a new timetable. Once leaders finalize the schedule, officials will invite the students back for a formal discussion.