Mau bikin SIM, bayar polisi. Ketilang di jalan, bayar polisi. Touring motor gede, bayar polisi. Angkot mau ngetem, bayar polisi.
That was an excerpt from Bayar Bayar Bayar, a song by the Indonesian indie punk band Sukatani. The track criticizes the Indonesian National Police for their tendency to extort money from the public in any dealings with them—hence the title, which translates to Pay Pay Pay.
Released in 2023, the song resonated with the Indonesian public, who had grown frustrated with the police force’s tendency to ignore urgent cases unless they went viral or involved financial compensation. It served as a sharp critique, reminding officers of their duty to serve the public rather than their own interests.
Surprisingly, the song remained under the radar until 2025. However, following protests by Indonesian progressives over the government’s poor performance during President Prabowo Subianto’s first 100 days in office, Sukatani’s members faced police intimidation over the track. As a result, they were forced to issue a public apology and remove the song from all streaming platforms.
This sparked support for Sukatani from Indonesian progressives and grassroots activists, who began chanting Bayar Bayar Bayar during protests against the government. The song’s resurgence further heightened tensions between the police and the public.
These tensions set the stage for the 2024/25 Liga 2 Indonesia final on Wednesday, where Bhayangkara Presisi Indonesia FC—a police-backed team already controversial within Indonesian football—faced off against PSIM Yogyakarta, a fan-favorite club and one of the seven founding members of the Football Federation of Indonesia (PSSI).
PSIM supporters had already taken aim at Bhayangkara in the buildup to the final, with a Laskar Mataram fan group vowing to chant Bayar Bayar Bayar in support of their team during the match.
The final had it all—Rafinha’s stunning free-kick in the 9th minute to open the scoring, a 1.5-hour delay caused by torrential rain and poor drainage at Manahan Stadium, and Felipe Ryan’s powerful header in the 71st minute that leveled the match and forced extra time. Tensions escalated as Bhayangkara players resorted to dirty tactics in a desperate bid to salvage their fading reputation as one of Indonesia’s footballing powerhouses. But in the 95th minute, Roken Tampubolon’s exquisite chip sealed the Liga 2 title for PSIM, capping off a dramatic night.
PSIM’s Liga 2 triumph sparked jubilant celebrations, not only among Laskar Mataram supporters but also across Indonesia’s football community. Even fierce rivals Persis Solo and PSS Sleman—once bitter enemies of PSIM but now united under the Mataram is Love banner after the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy—offered heartfelt congratulations. PSS fans took it a step further, joining the festivities in Yogyakarta, their iconic green-white-black colors blending with PSIM’s blue and white in a rare display of unity.
Fans of Persija Jakarta, Arema FC, Persib Bandung, and Persebaya Surabaya took to social media to congratulate PSIM, all eagerly anticipating an eventful away day trip to Yogyakarta next season. Even fans of Persiba Bantul, a local rival currently struggling in the lower leagues, joined in the celebrations.
This united celebration of PSIM’s triumph not only marked the end of Laskar Mataram’s 18-year exile from Indonesia’s top flight and their 20-year title drought but also symbolized a victory for the people over the authorities.
Indonesian football fans may have their rivalries, enemies, and differences, but their shared disdain for Bhayangkara—seen as a soulless embodiment of an oppressive institution within the footballing pyramid—was one of the few things they all agreed on.
From their controversial 2017 Liga 1 title win—secured after a disputed decision awarded them victory against Mitra Kukar—to their habit of poaching key players from other clubs under the guise of “a duty to serve the country,” Indonesian football fans have plenty of reasons to despise the Guardians.
Bhayangkara’s relegation in the 2023/24 season was met with widespread jubilation. Though their return to the top flight was met with dismay, PSIM’s triumph provided a sense of satisfaction, as fans relished the victory over their most despised club.
Sure, the Guardians won’t be dropping back to the second tier anytime soon—Bhayangkara’s resources make them far too strong for Liga 2. However, PSIM’s title-clinching victory was seen as a win for the people, a symbolic triumph amid ongoing tensions between the public and the police.