UGM Speaks Out as Large Banner Appears at the Entrance Gate
A large banner reading ‘Surat Permohonan Maaf’ was installed in front of the entrance gate of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Sleman, DIY, on Thursday morning, 21 May. The banner stated that the campus, located at Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, apologises for having allowed Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka to become President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia for 2024–2029. The message concluded with ‘Hormat kami, Universitas Gadjah Mada’. By Thursday afternoon, the banner had disappeared from the gate.
Not an official UGM stance
UGM spokesperson I Made Andi Arsana confirmed that a banner titled ‘Surat Permohonan Maaf’ was displayed at the campus entrance. However, he rejected the notion that the banner was installed or represented UGM’s official views. ‘Although it bears the name of UGM, the banner was not installed by UGM and does not reflect UGM’s official position. Accordingly, the banner is using UGM’s identity without authority and does not comply with applicable regulations,’ he wrote.
In principle, UGM respects and protects the freedom of expression and the right of each citizen to convey aspirations. Nevertheless, Made Andi argued that any form of expression must still observe the campus space-use rules and the responsibility of the installer.
‘In light of this, the banner has been removed because its placement did not conform to the designated use of information media in campus areas,’ he concluded.
BEM UGM speaks out
Separately, acting chair of UGM BEM 2026, Sheron Adam Funay, said the apology banner had been installed by campus ground-level activists as a form of shared concern. The BEM says it supports the action.
Sheron noted that Indonesia’s current social climate is marked by uncertainty, particularly given recent economic conditions. He said various data, especially on the economy, show that public trust — and even investor confidence — is declining. He argued that the present uncertain economy directly affects students and the wider community.
‘The campus, as a space for the academic community, should be free to express itself. That is the limit of the campus stance that our BEM colleagues hope for. While we would of course prefer the campus to take a more radical stance towards the government,’ he added.