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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Vokalis Efek Rumah Kaca Ikut Aksi Rakyat Memanggil di Yogyakarta

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Musician Cholil Mahmud joined a protest in Yogyakarta against policies of President Prabowo Subianto's administration.
  • The demonstration, involving students, academics, and laborers, criticized government policies deemed detrimental to the public.
  • Mahmud expressed solidarity, viewing the protest as a sign of accumulated public anger and a potential start for more organized civil movements.

Cholil Mahmud, the vocalist and guitarist of the Indonesian band Efek Rumah Kaca, participated in a protest in Yogyakarta, dubbed 'Rakyat Memanggil' (The People Are Calling). The demonstration, held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, saw a large turnout of students, academics, activists, and laborers.

This movement has had a significant impact on friends in various regions since the era of Gejayan Memanggil.

— Cholil MahmudMahmud commented on the historical significance and influence of the Gejayan movement.

Protesters gathered to voice their opposition to several policies enacted by President Prabowo Subianto's administration, which they argue have caused hardship and are not in the public's interest. Mahmud stated that his presence was to offer moral support and solidarity to the Gejayan movement, which he described as a long-standing source of inspiration and a consistent voice of critical engagement with those in power.

"This movement has had a significant impact on friends in various regions since the era of Gejayan Memanggil," Mahmud said at the protest site. He explained that he made a special effort to attend the Yogyakarta event, having been unable to join a similar protest in Jakarta the previous Friday. "Yesterday in Jakarta I couldn't join. Coincidentally, today I am in Yogya and there is this action, so I want to be present and give solidarity to friends who are fighting," he added.

Yesterday in Jakarta I couldn't join. Coincidentally, today I am in Yogya and there is this action, so I want to be present and give solidarity to kawan-kawan who are struggling.

— Cholil MahmudMahmud explained his reason for joining the protest in Yogyakarta.

Mahmud views the resurgence of mass movements in Yogyakarta as an indicator of accumulated public anger over unresolved national issues. He stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and nurturing civil society movements to ensure the momentum of their struggles is not lost. "Movements like this must be nurtured, sharpened, so they don't fizzle out halfway," he asserted. The protest's demands reportedly touched upon issues such as corruption, exploitative mining permits leading to environmental damage, and rising fuel prices.

Movements like this must be nurtured, sharpened, so they don't fizzle out halfway.

— Cholil MahmudMahmud emphasized the need for sustained effort in civil society movements.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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