Hundreds of Semarang Students Protest Again at Central Java Governor's Office, Criticising MBG and Shrinking Civil Space

Hundreds of students belonging to the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII) conducted a demonstration in front of the Central Java Provincial Governor and DPRD Office in Semarang on Wednesday afternoon (17/06/2026). This marks the third student protest in front of the Central Java Governor’s Office within the past week.

The demands voiced by the PMII students were not significantly different from the previous two protests. “When the collective action occurred yesterday, there were already five points of the Pantura (Five People’s Demands). Meanwhile, the focus of our action here is, first, the termination of the MBSS (MBG) programme. Second, rejecting the repressiveness of authorities in civil space. Those are our two main demands,” said Alfani, representing the PMII UIN Walisongo Semarang Commissariat.

Alfani highlighted how the TNI-Polri (Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police) have currently entered the civilian realm and occupied civilian positions. According to him, this serves as evidence that civil space is increasingly shrinking.

He stated that the protesters participating in the demonstration came from several PMII commissariats in Semarang. In addition to UIN Walisongo, representatives were also present from Semarang State University (Unnes), Muhammadiyah University of Semarang (Unimus), and PGRI Semarang University (Upgris). “The estimated crowd was more than 300,” said Alfani.

During the protest, the crowd displayed several banners at the gates of the Central Java Governor’s Office. The banners included slogans such as “The state is dying, the rulers are traitors”, “Reject militarism”, and “PMII sues”. Additionally, the protesters painted the asphalt with the words “State = oppressor. Resist!!”.

Alfani stated that the PMII Semarang action cannot be separated from previous demonstrations. “This is part of the follow-up efforts by PMII comrades. Certainly, there will be further actions following this,” he said.

He emphasised that student actions, particularly those of PMII members, will not cease until the voiced demands are met. “The protests will never stop until all points are achieved. Until the political condition no longer collapses, and until prosperity can return to the people,” he concluded.