RANS Carnival Boycott Widens After Sumpah Pemuda Declaration Controversy, Musicians Pull Out

SLEMAN — The backlash against Raffi Ahmad is beginning to hit his entertainment business directly. RANS Carnival, the entertainment festival organized by RANS Entertainment at the Maguwoharjo Stadium parking area in Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region, on 31 October to 1 November 2026, has become the target of boycott calls on social media.

Several musicians originally on the performer lineup have decided to cancel their participation. They include Tipe-X, Guyon Waton, Masdddho, and Orkes Melayu Wawes. Nevertheless, the festival went ahead on its first day.

## It Began with the Declaration at Bundaran HI

The controversy originated at the "Deklarasi Sumpah Pemuda Mahasiswa Indonesia 2026" event held by the Metro Jaya Police at Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI), Central Jakarta, on Thursday (29/10/2026). The event, themed "Patriotik, Gigih, Berempati: Pemuda untuk Indonesia" (Patriotic, Tenacious, Empathetic: Youth for Indonesia), was claimed to be attended by around 100 students and was graced by Raffi Ahmad in his capacity as Special Presidential Envoy for Youth Development and Arts Workers, along with content creator Willie Salim.

The event drew condemnation after a video circulated of a participant wearing a Universitas Dian Nusantara (Undira) alumni jacket who appeared to stumble when asked about his campus by journalists. Later, a man named Bayu Setiadi — who had claimed to be "Dino dari BSI" — came forward publicly and confirmed he is not a student. He said he attended based on a community invitation and received payment.

## Raffi's Clarification and Willie Salim's Apology

After his name came under scrutiny, Raffi Ahmad issued a written clarification via social media on Friday (30/10/2026). He stressed that his attendance at the Sumpah Pemuda declaration was solely to fulfil an invitation he had received only the night before the event.

"I was not involved in the planning or preparation of the event, nor did I know the details of the event lineup or the parties attending," Raffi said in his written statement.

He also denied allegations that he arranged the appearance of a certain brand at the venue. According to him, the archway and road barriers bearing that brand had been installed long before the declaration was held. Raffi also stressed that he respects the students who staged demonstrations on the 98th Youth Pledge Day, 28 October 2026.

Meanwhile, Willie Salim, who accompanied Raffi at the venue, issued an open apology for his carelessness in attending the event without checking its details and background. Willie stressed that he did not receive a single rupiah in payment and attended purely to fulfil an invitation.

## From a Participant Controversy to a Business Reputation Crisis

Despite Raffi's clarification, calls to boycott activities associated with RANS have continued to grow on social media since Friday (30/10/2026). The controversy, which began centred on Raffi's presence at the declaration, has now widened into a business reputation issue.

RANS Carnival, as Raffi Ahmad's business entity, shows how a public figure's controversy can spread into the wider business ecosystem — from the festival stage to the micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) involved in it.

Dokter Tirta is one of the figures who has commented on the controversy's development, with statements attributed to him regarding Raffi's apology and clarification drawing varied interpretations from the public.

## Editor's Note

The "rented students" case itself was reported by RingkasNow on 31 October 2026 with a focus on Bayu Setiadi's admission and the campus's denial. This article focuses on the latest development: the impact of the controversy on RANS Carnival, including the musicians' cancellations and the festival proceeding on its first day.

The statements of the parties are quoted from their own publications through the covering media. Further developments, including RANS Entertainment's official response to the boycott calls, will be updated as they come.