Surabaya Civil Coalition to Protest on Monday, BEM SI East Java on Wednesday

Civil society groups in Surabaya will stage a demonstration titled ‘The People of Surabaya Accuse’ in front of the Grahadi State Building, East Java, on Monday (15/6). The protest aims to voice demands and objections against a number of government policies deemed detrimental to the public.

Field Coordinator for the Surabaya Kamisan Action, Muhammad Ikhsan Aditya, outlined several key demands to be raised. The first is the revocation of the newly revised Police Law (UU Polri) and the Military Law (UU TNI).

‘Firstly, the revocation of the reckless revision of the Police Law carried out a few days ago. Secondly, the revocation of the 2025 TNI Law, which paves the way for militarism and the dual function of the military; return the TNI to the barracks,’ Ikhsan told CNNIndonesia.com.

Additionally, the Surabaya Kamisan Action will highlight the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme and the Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP), which burden the state budget, demand a reduction in fuel prices, a strengthening of the rupiah exchange rate, and a halt to natural resource exploitation.

Regarding the choice of location, Ikhsan said the Grahadi Building was selected because the area is a busy main thoroughfare for Surabaya residents. He hopes the action will make citizens more concerned about people’s issues and mutual welfare.

‘Grahadi is part of a road that Surabaya residents commonly pass. It is a historic building, and we hope to convey our aspirations at this historic site in front of Grahadi,’ said Adit.

Adit confirmed the protest is open to students, workers, labourers, and other civil society elements. He described the movement as a response to the current situation and a trigger for larger actions in the future.

‘This action is actually a response and part of our aspirations, and perhaps it will serve as a trigger for a bigger action later on,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the All-Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM SI) for the East Java region plans to hold a separate protest on Wednesday (17/6). BEM SI East Java Regional Coordinator, Muhammad Aqomaddin, said preparations are still being finalised, including the exact location.

‘We plan the action for the 17th [June 2026], Wednesday. The location point is not yet fixed because we have not conducted a field check,’ said Aqomaddin.

Aqomaddin stated there are five demands students will voice in the protest, which is expected to draw a large turnout. ‘First, stop the MBG and KDMP programmes. Second, revoke the Police Law and TNI Law. Third, lower fuel prices. Fourth, reject militarism. Fifth, demand a strengthening of the rupiah,’ he said.

To finalise preparations, he added, a follow-up consolidation meeting will be held the day before the protest. ‘God willing, on D-1, precisely on the 16th, we will likely hold a further consolidation,’ said Aqomaddin.

Previously, a wave of demonstrations with similar issues occurred in several Indonesian cities last week, including those by student alliances in Jakarta and Solo on Friday (12/6), Bandung on Thursday (11/6), and Yogyakarta on Saturday (12/6).