SLEMAN, The Kabar News—At least four Indonesian musical acts have withdrawn from RANS Carnival in Sleman, Yogyakarta, as social media users call for a boycott of Raffi Ahmad and RANS Entertainment.

Tipe-X, Guyon Waton, OM Wawes and soloist Masdddho announced their cancellations through their respective social media accounts. The two-day carnival was scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in the parking area of Maguwoharjo Stadium.

The artists announced their decisions shortly before the event opened. However, they did not issue a joint statement or explicitly identify the online boycott as the sole reason for every withdrawal. Their announcements instead referred to public discussion, local sensitivities, safety and respect for community concerns.

Guyon Waton, which had been scheduled to perform on Saturday, said its management had observed extensive discussion about the group’s planned appearance in Sleman.

“On behalf of Guyon Waton Management, we apologize that we cannot proceed with the event,” the group said.

Management said the decision did not seek to blame or discredit any party. It described the cancellation as an effort to protect safety and maintain good relations with the public.

Tipe-X announced its withdrawal in a shorter message.

“We are withdrawing from this event. See you at another celebration. Salam X,” the ska band said, as quoted by Jawa Pos.

Masdddho, whose real name is Ridho Nugroho, said musicians should consider more than commercial performances when responding to public concerns.

“For us, music is not merely entertainment, and a stage is not only about performing,” he said. He added that artists should also respect social values and the public’s voice.

OM Wawes said it had considered the situation developing in Yogyakarta before withdrawing. The group said it did not want its participation to hurt public sentiment.

The withdrawals came after Raffi attended the Indonesian Students’ Youth Pledge Declaration at Jakarta’s Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Oct. 29. Raffi attended in his capacity as the presidential special envoy for youth development and artists.

The Jakarta Police characterized the event as a declaration that promoted national unity and countered online misinformation. Raffi called on young Indonesians to reject hoaxes and provocation, according to the National Police’s official news.

The gathering later attracted criticism after a participant wearing a university jacket acknowledged that he was not a student and had received payment to attend. That disclosure intensified questions about the event’s organization, although it did not establish Raffi’s involvement in recruiting participants.

Raffi subsequently said organizers had invited him shortly before the event. He denied taking part in its planning and said he did not know the full background of the participants.

Online criticism then expanded into boycott calls targeting Raffi and RANS Entertainment. The timing has led several news outlets to connect the controversy with the RANS Carnival cancellations, but the available artists’ statements do not prove that one coordinated boycott directly caused every withdrawal.

Several micro, small and medium enterprises also reportedly pulled out as carnival tenants. As the cancellations accumulated, the organizers had yet to publish a detailed explanation or announce a complete replacement lineup in the reports reviewed. The incident shows how quickly unresolved public controversy can affect performers, vendors and live-event operations.