Students from Universitas Gadjah Mada joined the Yogyakarta protest on June 13, 2026 , with a banner “Together with the People, UGM Stands in Full Resistance.” (HS)
On June 13, hundreds of students gathered at the Gejayan intersection in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, for a protest organised by the People’s Alliance Calls (Aliansi Rakyat Memanggil) collective, accusing the government of failing to safeguard public welfare and demanding wide-ranging policy reforms.
Despite persistent rain, over 200 protesters, mostly dressed in black, assembled outside Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) before marching to the nearby Gejayan junction, where they occupied part of the road and delivered speeches from a sound truck. Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans calling for lower fuel prices, an end to the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme and greater accountability over public spending.
Protesters marching in neat formation towards Gejayan junction. (SEA Daily/HS)
Upon reaching the Gejayan three-way intersection, they blocked half the road, surrounding the command vehicle and taking turns climbing on top of it to shout their demands and condemn the government for not standing with the people.
“Lower fuel prices! Stop MBG (Free Nutritious Meals)! Stop the waste of the state budget!”. Drivers in passing vehicles also honked their horns, which was greeted enthusiastically by the demonstrators.
The crowd swelled when hundreds more students, many from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), joined the rally carrying a banner reading, “Together with the People, UGM Stands in Full Resistance.” Police diverted traffic after demonstrators occupied the intersection.
At around 5 pm, representatives from Aliansi Rakyat Memanggil presented a list of ten demands, including cancelling the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme and the abolition of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative scheme, repealing recent amendments to laws governing the military, police and judiciary as well as strengthening protections for freedom of expression and civil liberties. They also called for universal access to free education and healthcare, lower prices for essential goods and fuel, stronger labour rights and protections for gig economy workers, reforms to online transport regulations, the release of political prisoners, and greater protection against forced evictions and land seizures.
The alliance comprises students from UNY, UGM, Universitas Atma Jaya, several private universities and labour organisations. Organisers warned they would stage larger demonstrations if their demands were ignored.
More civilians joined among the protesters to fight for their rights (SEA Daily/HS)
Among those attending was community activist and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) local politician, Antonius Fokki Ardiyanto. He criticised how rising prices for essential goods and fuel have hit “working people, small traders, farmers, fishers and young people” the hardest. From a Marhaenist perspective (a political ideology coined by Indonesia’s first president Soekarno), he argued, economic policies should prioritise the welfare of ordinary citizens. “Those in power appear to be celebrating while the people continue to suffer.”
The Yogyakarta protest came a day after a similar protest was held in Jakarta on June 12, where students and other civilians criticised President Prabowo Subianto’s administration over a range of government policies.
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