Creator of 'Darah Juang' Song Passes Away

The creator of the song ‘Darah Juang’, Johnsony Maharsak Lumban Tobing, also known as John Tobing, has passed away. The sad news was confirmed by activist Baharuddin Kamba, who was at the Academic Hospital of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta, on Wednesday (25/2) evening.

“He passed away on Wednesday (25/02/2026) evening at around 8:45 PM at RSA UGM Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta,” he said.

According to Kamba, John Tobing’s death is a great loss for activists. The song ‘Darah Juang’ was a ‘must-have’ song that accompanied activists during the 1998 reform movement.

“To this day, the song ‘Darah Juang’ still resonates when activists hold demonstrations,” he said.

“I took the time to come directly to RSA UGM to express my condolences to the family of the late John Tobing,” he said.

Kamba hopes that even though John Tobing is no longer with us, the spirit of fighting for justice and against oppression will never die.

Lyrics of the song ‘Darah Juang’:

Here is our country

Where rice paddies stretch out

Its oceans are rich

Our land is fertile, sir

In this beautiful country

Millions of people live in poverty

Children of laborers do not go to school

Young people in villages do not work

Chorus:

They are deprived of their rights

Displaced and hungry

Mother, we offer our fighting spirit

To you we dedicate ourselves

To you we make a promise

(H-4)