YOGYAKARTA - The night of 1 Suro 2026 seems to be a busy night for security forces in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. If the public's attention is usually directed at the sacred and solemn Kirab Pusaka Keraton Yogyakarta, this year there is a "counter-kirab" that is sure to attract no less attention: the Topo Bisu Mandala held by thousands of PSIM Yogyakarta supporters.
The difference is, if the Keraton procession is held in the middle of the night with participants walking without talking as a form of spiritual practice, the Laskar Mataram supporters will first do a silent version of football. Both walk in silence, both wear all black clothes, but the prayers that are offered do not seem to be about the safety of the country, but rather one thing that is more earthly: the stadium lights.
The action, which is scheduled to take place on June 15, 2026 at 21.00 WIB, is estimated to be attended by around 3,000 supporters. They will start their journey from the PSIM House before circling the Mandala Krida Stadium, the stadium that has been the identity of the Yogyakarta pride club for decades.
In the poster that circulated widely on social media, participants were asked to wear black clothes. Various messages with critical tones were also displayed, ranging from "PSIM Needs a Stadium", "KPK Solve This Case", to "Mandala is a Pride, Not a Victim".
The initiator of the action, Andre Miliran, emphasized that the activity was a form of peaceful aspirations of supporters who hope to get attention from all parties who have interests in the future of PSIM and Mandala Krida.
"This is a peaceful action that we hope will get the attention of the parties concerned and PSIM stakeholders," said Andre.
Behind the symbolic action is a long-held disappointment. After successfully promoted to Liga 1, PSIM was unable to use Mandala Krida as the main stadium. The stadium has not met a number of requirements for the highest class competition in Indonesian football, especially regarding lighting facilities which are considered inadequate.
As a result, the club which was born in 1929 was forced to move to the Sultan Agung Stadium in Bantul to carry out the Liga 1 home match. An irony that for some supporters feels like having their own house but having to live in a neighbor's house.
For PSIM supporters, this problem is not just about infrastructure. Mandala Krida is considered part of the club's identity and the history of Yogyakarta football. Playing away from the stadium is considered to reduce the emotional bond between the team and its supporters.
This situation also presents its own challenges for the security forces. In a span of only a few hours, they must escort two major agendas that are both parades and involve large crowds.
If the Keraton procession is known as a spiritual tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, then the PSIM supporter procession can be called a modern ritual of the Yogyakarta football community. One carries the royal heritage, one carries the hope that the stadium light pole will soon stand.
This year's 1st night of Suro also has the potential to present a unique view. Thousands of residents will witness two different forms of prihatin practice. Around the Keraton, people walk to understand the journey of life and the spiritual values of Java. Meanwhile, at Mandala Krida, thousands of supporters walk in silence thinking about one question that may be equally powerful:
How is it possible that a Liga 1 club has fanatic supporters, a long history, and a magnificent stadium, but is still waiting for the lights to come on?
In Yogyakarta, apparently even the stadium lights can be a sacred matter to be commemorated on the night of 1 Suro. Because for PSIM supporters, the stadium lights are not just a match facility, but a symbol that Mandala Krida is still considered a worthy home for the Laskar Mataram. If the prayers of the Suro night are believed to bring hope, then thousands of supporters seem to only ask for one simple thing: for Mandala Krida to be bright again and PSIM can go home.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
