Demonstrations Along Malioboro: Dozens of Students Demand Reform and Criticise 'Foreign Allies'
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Dozens of students, grouped under the Forum BEM DIY, held a demonstration along the Malioboro area, from the DIY DPRD office to Kilometer Zero, on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) afternoon. The action was held, among other things, in response to the death of Arianto Tawakal in an incident of violence allegedly involving police officers.
The protesters also voiced other concerns, carrying banners with messages such as “Total Reform of the Polri (National Police)”, “Police Killers”. There were also banners protesting President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to join the Board of Peace (BoP), an initiative by the President of the United States. They carried banners saying “Prabowo, Foreign Ally!!!”, “Pro-Zionist”, and also rejected the MBG program. Speeches were delivered in turn, under strict police guard.
“This loss is not only a tragedy for the family, but also a collective wound for the public. Every citizen’s life is a constitutional mandate. If it is lost in a situation that should uphold the rule of law, then what collapses is not only the body, but also trust in justice,” said the General Coordinator of the Forum BEM DIY, Faturahman Djaguna, when giving a statement to reporters in the Malioboro area, Yogyakarta, Wednesday (February 25, 2026).
He said that the incident that killed a teenager in Maluku was not just an isolated incident, but part of a structural problem that recurs within law enforcement institutions. According to him, reform must not stop at slogans. Faturahman believes that there are still problems of unequal power relations, weak accountability, and a lack of institutional improvement.
The Forum BEM DIY urged the DIY DPRD not to be passive towards the national situation, which is considered to be increasingly deviating from the spirit of reform.
“We came to the DIY DPRD because the legislative body is the representation of the people in the region. The DPRD must voice an official stance and push for total reform,” he said.
Delivering Several Demands
In the action, students conveyed various demands, including total reform of the Polri and an end to impunity, revocation of the operating license of PT Ormat Geothermal in North Maluku and the enactment of the Indigenous Customary Law Community Law, rejection of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program which is considered not on target, transparency and open audit of the Merah Putih Cooperative, and rejection of the involvement of the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) in civilian affairs.
They also rejected the President’s attitude, which is considered pro-foreign interests, demanded free, quality and equitable education and health, rejected the draft Law on Foreign Disinformation Propaganda, asked for a comprehensive solution to the waste crisis in DIY, and the completion of illegal mining and the cessation of environmental exploitation.
The students affirmed that the action was a constitutional mandate and part of the people’s control over power. They believe that reform must be realized in systemic improvements that guarantee respect for human rights, transparency, and the supremacy of civilian rule.
One of the speakers, Randy, stated that the action was born out of concern over various incidents of violence that have tarnished state institutions.
“We are taking to the streets not for ceremonial reasons. This is a forced situation. If it is not stopped, problems like this will continue to repeat,” he said.