Creator of the Song 'Darah Juang', John Tobing, Passes Away
JOHNSONY Marhasak Lumban Tobing, better known as John Tobing, the maestro behind the protest song ‘Darah Juang’, passed away at the age of 59 in Yogyakarta on Wednesday evening, February 25, 2026.
The former 1998 activist, born in Binjai on December 1, 1966, breathed his last at the Academic Hospital (RSA) UGM Yogyakarta after undergoing intensive care.
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Yogyakarta activist, Baharuddin Kamba, who was at the hospital to assist with the preparation of the body, confirmed the sad news.
“Yes, it’s true (John Tobing) passed away at RSA UGM Yogya, the body will be laid to rest at the Rumah Duka RS Bethesda Yogyakarta,” said Kamba, Thursday, February 26, 2026.
The cause of death of the activist, whose songs have always been performed by demonstrators from students to workers at every street action, is not yet known.
John will be buried on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Madurejo Public Cemetery, Prambanan Sleman. The day before the funeral, Friday, February 27, the family will hold a Martonggo Raja procession.
The passing of John Tobing leaves deep sadness among activists across generations, given that the song Darah Juang has become a mandatory song in student demonstrations since the 1998 reform era until now.
Kamba emphasized that even though the creator is no longer physically present, his intellectual heritage and spirit will continue to live on in the midst of the people’s struggle.
“We are very saddened by the passing of Bang John. Even though he is no longer here, his work, his spirit for fellow activists will certainly never fade,” said Kamba.
Kamba, who is an activist for Jogja Police Watch and the Independent Monitoring Forum of Yogyakarta, said that through the song Darah Juang, John always indirectly gave spirit to activists who fight in the streets.
“The spirit conveyed by the song continues to flow, both among activists of the 98 era, and activists who are currently fighting, the song is still relevant,” said Kamba.
Before he passed away, John Tobing was known to have received medical treatment in December 2025 due to a stroke.
One of John Tobing’s colleagues, Joko Utomo, said that the deceased had been in the hospital since Wednesday morning before being declared dead on Wednesday night at 8:45 p.m.
Joko explained that the family is currently in the process of discussing the funeral arrangements. However, it is confirmed that the body will be laid to rest at the Rumah Duka RS Bethesda Yogyakarta after the preparation process at RSA UGM is completed before being buried.
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