Pramono Concerned About ITB's 'Erika' Song: The Lyrics Weren't Like That Back Then

Governor of DKI Jakarta and former Chairman of the ITB Mining Students Association, Pramono Anung, responded to the ‘Erika’ song that has drawn attention due to its harassing content. Pramono stated that when he was a student at ITB, the lyrics of the ‘Erika’ song were different from those now going viral. He shared this during the Halal Bi Halal event with the ITB Parents of Students Association in South Jakarta on Sunday (19/4/2026). Initially, Pramono recounted that he had been part of the Semi Dangdut Orchestra (OSD) of the ITB Mining Students Association. “I happened to be involved in the OSD. My role was playing the cymbals—I’m sure there’s still a photo of me with the cymbals. The ‘Erika’ song, right? It’s a mandatory song for ITB student events,” Pramono said in his speech. However, back then, Pramono noted, the lyrics were not like those currently causing a stir due to elements of harassment against women. In fact, the song back then incorporated material criticising the New Order government. “I’m also concerned, and I’m sure the lyrics weren’t like that back then—they really weren’t. And back then, the highlight when ITB mining students sang ‘Erika’ was imitating President Suharto’s speeches, done by the mining students as part of the resistance against the highly authoritarian regime,” he said. “The lyrics back then weren’t like that. In fact, if asked to sing it, I still remember it. Because back then, as the cymbal player, I was just an extra; at most, I provided backing vocals,” he added. He mentioned that he had sung the ‘Erika’ song while still a student and part of that music group. However, he assured that the lyrics were not like those now. “If asked whether I ever sang ‘Erika’, I say yes. But the verses and lyrics were different because at that time, the ‘Erika’ song was very famous and it was part of the ITB students’ form of resistance against the regime,” he explained. Separately, ITB Rector Tatacipta Dirgantara has conveyed an apology for the commotion that arose. He emphasised that the institution does not tolerate violence in the campus environment. “And we certainly will not tolerate any acts containing violence within the campus environment,” Tata said in an official Instagram post from ITB, quoted from detikEdu, on Sunday (19/4). Tata stated that the institution is addressing the issue seriously. This includes following up with various parties, from the Task Force for Prevention and Handling of Violence (Satgas PPK) to departmental associations. “We held marathon meetings with Satgas PPK, we met with ITB student families, with departmental association chairs, who will then follow up with various activities aimed at increasing awareness and prevention so that similar incidents do not happen again,” he said. Tata stated that the institution is committed to creating a comfortable campus environment for students to learn. He expressed thanks for the concern and input from various parties, saying that recent events serve as a reminder for ITB to make improvements.