Over a Thousand Students Rally in Semarang, Voicing 'Five People's Demands'

More than a thousand students from several universities in Semarang staged a demonstration in front of the Central Java Governor’s office and the Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) on Monday afternoon (15/6/2026). They voiced five demands named the Five People’s Demands (Pantura).

The participating students came from universities including Diponegoro University (Undip), Semarang State University (Unnes), Semarang State Polytechnic (Polines), UIN Walisongo Semarang, and Sultan Agung Islamic University (Unissula). During the protest, they unfurled banners bearing slogans such as ‘Villages don’t use dollars, Prabowo doesn’t use reason’, ‘Reformation is dead’, and ‘Reformation Volume II - Pantura’.

The crowd repeatedly chanted the word ‘reformasi’ in unison. Addressing the demonstrators, an orator read out the Five People’s Demands, which consist of: lowering fuel prices and stabilising the rupiah exchange rate; returning the Indonesian Military and National Police to their primary functions; a total evaluation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) and KDMP programmes; returning land ownership to the people; and stopping corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN) practices within the government.

Dozens of students from the Semarang branch of the Islamic Students Association (HMI) briefly burned tyres in front of the Central Java Governor’s office gate. They stated the action was a form of protest against President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, which they consider increasingly repressive and whose policies do not side with the people.

The students demonstrating in front of the DPRD gate subsequently also burned tyres. Hundreds of military and police personnel were on standby in the courtyards of the Governor’s office and the DPRD.

‘Today’s action was attended by more than 1,000 people,’ said Septia Linasari, President of the Unnes Student Executive Board (BEM), when interviewed.