On April 24, 2026, during Persib Bandung’s BRI Super League match against Arema FC at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium (GBLA), supporters displayed a large banner reading “Shut Up KDM” in the north stands. The banner, written in white with red and black lettering, remained visible from the second half until the final whistle. The message was directed at West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, whose nickname is KDM.
The protest emerged amid growing concern among Persib fans about potential interference in the club’s professional management. Supporters expressed worry that public promises of financial incentives, particularly a reported bonus of Rp1 billion per match, could undermine the team’s focus and competitive integrity. The banner’s message was interpreted as a call for the governor to refrain from commenting on Persib’s affairs to preserve the club’s autonomy.
In response, Governor Dedi Mulyadi addressed the banner via a TikTok video posted on April 26, 2026. Rather than taking offense, he framed the message as a positive reminder. “Teman-teman bobotoh yang berada di Tribun Utara GBLA, saat pertandingan melawan Arema, saya mengucapkan terima kasih ya atas spanduk yang dibentangkannya, yang intinya adalah melarang saya untuk tidak bicara mengenai Persib,” he said in the video, thanking supporters for the banner and acknowledging its intent to prevent him from discussing the club.
Mulyadi emphasized that he viewed the banner not as criticism but as reinforcement of his own commitment to keeping politics separate from football. “Dan spanduk tersebut saya yakin didasarkan pada sebuah keinginan agar profesionalisme sepak bola tetap terjaga tanpa tercederai oleh politik. Saya ucapkan terima kasih, saya sudah diingatkan,” he stated, confirming that he had already internalized the message to avoid commenting on Persib-related matters.
The banner appeared shortly after Mulyadi publicly disclosed that businessman Maruarar Sirait had pledged support to Persib, with assistance reportedly scheduled for the club’s April 20 match against Dewa United at Banten International Stadium. This timing heightened fan sensitivity to external influences on the team, prompting the protest as a safeguard against perceived encroachment on sporting independence.
Persib Bandung, one of Indonesia’s most storied football clubs, competes in Liga 1, the nation’s top professional division. The club has a passionate fanbase known as Bobotoh, renowned for their vocal presence at matches and active role in advocating for transparent, professional club governance. GBLA, located in Bandung, serves as Persib’s home ground and has a capacity exceeding 38,000 spectators.
The incident reflects broader tensions in Indonesian football regarding the balance between public official engagement and club autonomy. While governors and local leaders often express support for regional teams, fans increasingly scrutinize such involvement for risks of politicization or undue pressure on players and management. Similar protests have occurred in other Liga 1 venues when supporters perceive official statements as compromising competitive fairness.
As of April 26, 2026, no official statement has been issued by Persib Bandung’s club management regarding the banner or the governor’s response. The team was preparing for its next fixture in the BRI Super League season, with fans continuing to monitor developments around club governance and external communications.
For updates on Persib Bandung’s matches and official club announcements, supporters are encouraged to visit the club’s verified website and social media channels. Fans seeking information on Liga 1 fixtures and regulations can refer to the official website of PT Liga Indonesia Baru, the league’s governing body.