John Tobing's Family Proud That 'Darah Juang' Became a Song of Resistance
The song ‘Darah Juang’ by the late Johnsony Maharsak Lumban Tobing, also known as John Tobing, is widely known as a song of resistance. His family expressed their pride in this and stated that the song was indeed created for the Indonesian nation.
This was conveyed by John’s youngest son, Gopas Kibar Syang Proudy (18). He said that before he passed away, his father said that the song ‘Darah Juang’ belonged to the nation.
“My hope is that it will be in accordance with what my father hoped for, that ‘Darah Juang’ is for the nation, indeed for the nation, and if it is sung anywhere, my father would be happy,” he said when met at the Bethesda mourning house, Thursday (26/2/2026).
“There is no need for copyright or anything, because he wanted his song to be known throughout Indonesia, even internationally, because that was his only hope. That his song is known and that he also has a work that will be remembered,” he continued.
Previously, it was reported that John Tobing died at the age of 59 on Wednesday (25/2) night. His body was laid in state at the Bethesda Mourning House and will be buried on Saturday (28/2) at the Madurejo TPU, Prambanan, Sleman.
“Today there will be a church service at 18.30, and tomorrow there will be the same at 18.30,” said Gopas.
“And there is a Matonggo Raja procession, that tradition is for preparation for Saturday. When the departure (to the cemetery) there will be a worship service,” he continued.
Before he died, John’s health began to deteriorate and he had to be treated in hospital since November 2025. Since then, John had to go back and forth to the hospital to receive treatment.
“(He was admitted to hospital) since November 29 (2025), and returned home on January 28 (2026). Then he was admitted again in early February, on February 8 he was admitted again at Hermina, for about a week at Hermina, then he returned home,” said Gopas.
John then had to return to hospital on Wednesday (25/2) early in the morning and was immediately admitted to the ICU due to a decline in consciousness.
“Then on Wednesday this week, he was admitted again because of the decline in consciousness. Initially I went to Hermina Hospital, but because it was not covered by BPJS because he was last treated at Hermina, he was then taken to RSA UGM again,” he explained.
Until Wednesday night, John suddenly suffered a heart attack. He died in the ICU without his family by his side. Gopas said that the family was very shocked by John’s sudden death.
“This was sudden. In fact, we as a family were at home, because at the hospital he was put in the ICU, so we couldn’t wait,” he said.
“And also that night, at 20.45, the family was called and they said that Father had a heart attack and did not recover, and we all immediately came to the hospital. In fact, we were not quite ready because it was so sudden,” he concluded.
(dil/aku)