Former UGM Student Executive Board Chair Tiyo Protests Unnes Discussion Cancellation

Tiyo Ardianto, chair of UGM’s Student Executive Board for 2025-2026, has protested the cancellation of a discussion at Universitas Negeri Semarang (Unnes). Unnes’s Communication Science Students’ Association had initially scheduled Tiyo to speak on campus freedom of expression on Saturday, 23 May 2026. However, two days before the event, Unnes cancelled the invitation. ‘I was banned by campus bureaucrats. The reason given was that I no longer hold the position of UGM Student Executive Board chair—an illogical excuse,’ Tiyo said on Monday, 25 May 2026.

Tiyo completed his term as UGM Student Executive Board chair in March 2026. During his tenure, he frequently criticised the free nutritious meal project in various forums. He also received threats while protesting President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship initiative.

The cancellation, he said, is part of a gagging attempt. The reason given—that he is no longer UGM Student Executive Board chair—is illogical. He argued that universities should embody free thought. ‘If human rights to speak are suppressed, universities should be at the forefront in defending them,’ he stated.

Tiyo praised the organising committee for aiming to create space for ideas in a campus entrenched in feudal culture. He said any form of suppression cannot kill ideas. ‘History proves that pressure is the most potent fuel for resistance,’ he added.

Tiyo’s protest received support from Unnes’s Student Executive Board (BEM) and the Unnes Student Alliance. BEM Unnes chair Septia Linasari said the board and alliance condemned the feudalistic silencing at Unnes. She stated that the cancellation of the discussion, which was to feature Tiyo, violates democratic values, academic freedom, and human rights to express opinions and pursue justice without pressure or intimidation. ‘We demand an academic environment that is democratic, critical, and free from bureaucratic interference,’ she said.

Unnes Faculty of Social and Political Sciences deputy dean Fadly Husain denied the campus banned Tiyo from speaking due to his past role as UGM Student Executive Board chair. He said the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol) requested the Communication Science Students’ Association to replace the speaker as the topic was mismatched. Fadly noted the original proposal’s topic was press freedom. ‘There was no intention to obstruct,’ he said.

Fadly added that Unnes had previously invited Tiyo to speak on youth leadership last year. He denied allegations that Unnes restricts freedom of speech.