Viral Fun Run in South Tangerang Protested by Participants; Deputy Mayor Demands Organiser Accountability
A video showing participants of a fun walk and run in South Tangerang (Tangsel) protesting has gone viral on social media. The Deputy Mayor of South Tangerang, Pilar Saga Ichsan, has demanded that the organisers take responsibility for the incident.
The event took place on Sunday, 2 August 2026. In the video, one participant used a microphone to express disappointment, stating that they intended to pursue legal action. Ramses, a parent of a participant, noted that while participants arrived for a 6:00 AM start, there was a suspicious lack of committee members present, with only bike marshals visible.
He further reported that participants were not provided with medals upon crossing the finish line, with organisers claiming the medals were still in transit from Bandung. Many disappointed participants chose to leave the venue before a vehicle carrying approximately 900 finisher medals arrived at 9:00 AM to distribute them to those remaining.
The South Tangerang City Government has issued a clarification via its official Instagram account, stating that the running event was not organised by the local government. The Department of Youth and Sports (Dispora) of South Tangerang emphasised that the Tangsel Fun Run & Walk was organised entirely by a private event organiser (EO) and was not an official programme of the South Tangerised City Government or Dispora.
The City Government stated that activities organised by third parties are the sole responsibility of the organisers. Residents are advised to verify official information regarding government-led activities through official government channels. Dispora noted that while they respect private initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles, all third-party activities must comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Deputy Mayor Pilar Saga announced that the organisers will no longer be granted permits to hold events in South Tangerang. He demanded that the EO take immediate responsibility. “Private event organisers who use the name of South Tangerang City and include the logos of the City Government and Dispora Tangsel (even if not an official government event) and conduct events that harm the public will no longer be granted permits and will be summoned by Dispora Tangsel to provide immediate accountability,” Pilar Saga wrote on his Instagram account.