2026 East Kalimantan protests

2026 East Kalimantan protests
Part of the aftermath of 2025 Indonesian protests
Date21 April 2026
Location
Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Caused by
GoalsSee #Demands
Parties

East Kalimantan Protesters:

  • East Kalimantan Society Struggle Alliance
East Kalimantan Government of East Kalimantan
Lead figures

East Kalimantan Erly Sopiansyah
Field Coordinator of the Alliance

East Kalimantan Rudy Mas'ud
Governor of East Kalimantan East Kalimantan Seno Aji
Deputy Governor of East Kalimantan

Number
2,000[1]–7,000[2]

Large-scale demonstrations against the Governor of East Kalimantan Rudy Mas'ud were held by the East Kalimantan Society Struggle Alliance on 21 April 2026 in the city of Samarinda.[3] Two locations became centre of the protests: front of East Kalimantan Regional House of Representatives Building and East Kalimantan Governor's Office.[4]

Background

Rudy Mas'ud
Seno Aji
Governor and Deputy Governor of East Kalimantan, the winners of 2024 election

Rudy Mas'ud is part of the Mas'ud political family, which includes brothers Balikpapan mayor Rahmad Mas'ud (2021–), Penajam North Paser regent Abdul Gafur Mas'ud (2018–2022), and his wife, House of Representatives (DPR) member Sarifah Suraidah (2024–). Before engaging into politics, they were involved in fuel oil trade and shipping businesses through PT Barokah Bersaudara Perkasa and PT Barokah Gemilang Perkasa. Rudy's political career began when he was elected as a DPR member for Golkar in 2019, and soon appointed as the chairman for its East Kalimantan branch, as well as the Deputy Secretary General of the Defence Sector of Golkar.[5] Together with his running mate Seno Aji, he became the Governor of East Kalimantan after winning 55.66% of votes in the 2024 election, beating their opponents Isran Noor and Hadi Mulyadi.[6]

Since 2025, Rudy Mas'ud has attempted to use great amounts of public funds in ways contrary to the Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2025, which has called for budget cuts. In November 2025, his government attempted to procure an official Range Rover 3.0 Autobiography LWB worth IDR 8,499,936,000, following an auction process with CV Afisera Samarinda, but the car itself remained at East Kalimantan Relational Agency building at Jakarta.[7] On 26 February next year, he defended to the journalists that the procurement should be done in order to maintain "dignity of his province" as home to the future capital of Indonesia (i.e. in Sepaku).[8] However, on 2 March, he officially pulled back this procurement plan following public outcry.[9] Following this incident, the aforementioned company had to return the funds to the regional treasury within 14 days.[7]

Lead-ups

East Kalimantan Society Struggle Alliance (Indonesian: Aliansi Penjuangan Masyarakat Kalimantan Timur), which initially consisted of 4,075 protesters from 44 mass organisations, non-governmental organisations, and labour unions,[10] has selected 21 April as the date of their protests. According to Erly Sopiansyah, its field coordinator, the protests would be held in conjunction with the Kartini Day, out of respect for women's roles in the household economy. He also rejected accusations of backing from Rudy's political rivals.[3]

In Samarinda, East Kalimantan Society Struggle Alliance began to install command post tents in order to facilitate logistics for the 21 April protests, initially at M. Yamin Road, Milono Road, and next to the East Kalimantan governor office. Donations ranged from snacks, drinks, wrapped rice, to cash.[11] Later, the tents soon spread into Paser and Penajam North Paser.[12] The coordinator of 3rd command post, Ivan, claimed that they have received almost 150 cartons of mineral water bottles.[13] Initially, around 4,075 people from 44 mass organisations had joined to participate in the demonstration.

Mobile Brigade Corps from East Kalimantan Regional Police, consisting of 6 Company-Level Units of the riot squad, 2 escape teams, and one Platoon-Level Unit of drone and anti-drone teams were preparing for security at the protests, and several tactical vehicles were deployed.[14] Journalists were prohibited from covering the protest at East Kalimantan governor office.[15] In order to anticipate for injuries during the protests, Health Service of East Kalimantan installed tents at East Kalimantan Governor Office, Military Resort Command 091, Samarendah Park, and Public Works and Housing Service building. Government-owned hospitals, private hospitals, Indonesian Red Cross, and other volunteers took participation.[16]

Demands

Protesters in East Kalimantan have brought three main demands:

  1. audit of controversial procurement policies by Rudy Mas'ud;
  2. halting of corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN) practices throughout East Kalimantan; and
  3. urging East Kalimantan Regional House of Representatives to exercise its supervisory function optimally and independently.[17]

Protests

DPRD Office

Thousands of protesters from East Kalimantan Society Struggle Alliance began to walk from their assembly point in Samarinda Islamic Center Mosque at Slamet Riyadi Road, towards the building of East Kalimantan Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) at 10:30 a.m.[18] Upon their arrival, the first speech was opened by the Forum for the Care of Persons and Athletes with Disabilities with demands regarding planned social aids (which had been stopped at the time of Rudy's rise of power) and employment issues,[19] then followed by Paser Dayaks coming from Penajam North Paser. Several university students climbed and teared a billboard featuring the speaker of DPRD and other members, replacing it with their banner with three protest demands.[20]

The Deputy Speaker of East Kalimantan DPRD, Ekti Imanuel met the masses and listened to their demands, while its Speaker, Hasanuddin Mas'ud was not in Samarinda. The legislature announced in a signed document that they will respond to their demands as well as to prompt an audit process of the government's policies.[21] The Chairman of Golkar Fraction at East Kalimantan DPRD, Muhammad Husni Fahruddin also made an apology to the protesters and acknowledged that their budgeting and supervisory functions did not work well.[22] Maulana, a student from the Faculty of Law at Mulawarman University, was found unconscious following clashes at the entrance, and evacuated by doctors from East Kalimantan Regional Police and Samarinda Regional Police.[23]

Governor Office

Meanwhile, protesters at front of the East Kalimantan governor office successfully infiltrated the barbed wire fences, then attempting to push through the sides of building's main fences. Some of them have entered the office's front page. Field General of the East Kalimantan Society Struggle Alliance, Faturrahman, calmed down the masses, calling them to wait for the arrival of Rudy Mas'ud and Seno Aji.[24] Medical team from the Kalimantan Javanese Families Friendship (SIJAKA) was on standby at the governor office, and they have handled 5 protesters who suffered either asphyxiation or fatigue.[25] One provocateur was found carrying flare and smoke bomb and later arrested.[26] Street vendors inside the location saw increases of their earnings during the demonstration.[27]

Entering 6:40 p.m., the protesters began to throw blunt objects, such as glass bottles, large stones, and pieces of wood towards security guards. As a result, one policeman suffered wounds from thrown stones, and this attack was possibly done by infiltrating provocateurs.[28] Following this, the police forcibly dispersed the protesters with a water cannon car.[29] Rudy quitted from the office building at 9:10 p.m. with escort, ignoring protesters or journalists, as the government decided to not accept the masses who requested for audience.[30]

Reactions

Mayor of Samarinda Andi Harun announced that public services would continue to open in the 21 April protests.[31] Ombudsman Representative Chairman in East Kalimantan, Mulyadin, requested to the police to strictly follow standard operational procedures (SOP) and reminded them not to act intimidatively, but rather with humanist and persuasive approach.[32]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Demo 21 April 2026 di Samarinda Berakhir Ricuh, Gubernur Kaltim Pilih Bungkam". regional.kompas.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  2. ↑ "Demo 21 April, DPRD Kaltim Sepakati Tuntutan Mahasiswa". bontangpost.id. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Aliansi Perjuangan Masyarakat Kaltim Bersiap Demo Gubernur Besar-besaran, Ogah Dicap Tunggangan Lawan Politik". kaltimkita.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "Seruan Demo Besar Penghujung April 2026 di Samarinda, Polisi Belum Terima Pemberitahuan Resmi". kaltimkita.com. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  5. ↑ "Jejaring Politik Rudy Mas'ud di Kaltim: Keluarga, Golkar hingga Pusat Kekuasaan". seputarcibubur.pikiran-rakyat.com. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  6. ↑ "Results of 2024 East Kalimantan gubernatorial election" (PDF). sirekappilkada-obj-formd.kpu.go.id. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 May 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Gubernur Kaltim Batalkan Pembelian Mobil Dinas Baru". niaga.asia. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  8. ↑ "Gubernur Kaltim soal Mobil Dinas Rp 8,5 M: Masa Ala Kadarnya? Ini Marwah Kaltim". kumparan.com. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  9. ↑ "Pengadaan Mobil Dinas Gubernur Kaltim Rp 8,5 M Batal!". detik.com. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  10. ↑ "Gelombang Protes Membesar: Dikabarkan 4.075 Massa Sudah Mendaftar Aksi 21 April di Samarinda". katakaltim.com. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  11. ↑ "Jelang Demo 21 April, Bantuan Logistik di Samarinda Terus Mengalir, DPRD Imbau Massa Tetap Kondusif". sapos.co.id. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  12. ↑ "Jelang Aksi 21 April, Posko Demo Bertambah di Samarinda, PPU dan Paser". detik.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "Jelang Demo Besar, Kantor Gubernur Kaltim Dipagari Kawat Berduri". beritasatu.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  14. ↑ "Jelang Demo Besar di Samarinda, Brimob Kaltim Siapkan PHH Hingga Sistem Anti-Drone". niaga.asia. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  15. ↑ "Wartawan Dilarang Liput Suasana Kantor Gubernur Kaltim Jelang Demo Siang Ini". korankaltim.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  16. ↑ "Posko Kesehatan Disiagakan di Sejumlah Titik Aksi, Dinkes Kaltim Turunkan Tim Lengkap". sapos.co.id. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  17. ↑ "Info Demo Kaltim 21 April: Tuntutan Terkait Gubernur Rudy Mas'ud". tirto.id. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  18. ↑ "Massa Aliansi Masyarakat Kaltim Sudah Bergerak Menuju Gedung DPRD Kaltim". korankaltim.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  19. ↑ "Forum Disabilitas Kaltim Ikut Aksi Pertama Kali, Ini Tuntutannya ke Pemprov Kaltim". headlinekaltim.co. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  20. ↑ "Aksi 21 April di DPRD Kaltim Dimulai, Mahasiswa Pasang Spanduk 3 Tuntutan". detik.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  21. ↑ "Wakil Ketua DPRD Kaltim Temui Massa, Hasanuddin Mas'ud di Luar Kota". beritakaltim.co. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  22. ↑ "DPRD Kaltim Temui Pendemo, Minta Maaf dan Akui Fungsi Pengawasan Tak Berjalan Baik". regional.kompas.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  23. ↑ "Mahasiswa Tak Sadarkan Diri Saat Aksi di DPRD, Tim Medis Gabungan Sigap Lakukan Penanganan". tribratanews.kaltim.polri.go.id. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  24. ↑ "Pagar Kawat Berduri Kantor Gubernur Kaltim Jebol, Massa Aksi 21 April Tetap Tertib". berauterkini.co.id. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  25. ↑ "Garda Terdepan Demo 21 April di Samarinda, Tim Medis SIJAKA Siaga Tangani Peserta Aksi yang Tumbang". kaltim.tribunnews.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  26. ↑ "Diduga Provokator, Pria Bawa Flare-Bom Asap Ditangkap Massa Demo Kaltim". www.detik.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  27. ↑ "Demo di Kantor Gubernur Kaltim, PKL Panen Rezeki". kaltim.akurasi.id. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  28. ↑ "BREAKING NEWS: Demo di Kantor Gubernur Kaltim Pecah, Satu Anggota Polisi Terkapar Terkena Lemparan Batu". mediakaltim.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  29. ↑ "Demo di Kantor Gubernur Kaltim Berakhir Ricuh, Polisi Bubarkan Paksa Massa". kumparan.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  30. ↑ "Demo Ricuh, Gubernur Kaltim Keluar Kantor Dikawal Lalu Abaikan Massa dan Wartawan". regional.kompas.com. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  31. ↑ "Demo 21 April di Samarinda, Gubernur Kaltim Pastikan Layanan Publik Tetap Jalan". pranala.co. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  32. ↑ "Demo 21 April Kaltim: Ombudsman Ingatkan Polisi Tak Represif, Pejabat Harus Responsif". eksposkaltim.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
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