Yap Yun Hap was a student activist who lost his life during the Semanggi II Tragedy.
On that day, together with other activists, he joined a protest demanding the cancellation of the Draft Law on the State of Emergency (RUU PKB). September 24, 1999, became the last day the Electrical Engineering student of the 1996 class saw the world.
To commemorate Yap Yun Hap’s struggle, the Student Executive Board (BEM) in collaboration with the Alumni Association (Iluni) of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), held a remembrance event titled Mengenang Yap Yun Hap at the FTUI Rotunda Park (24/09). The event was attended by students and alumni of FTUI, especially those who were in the same cohort and department as Yap Yun Hap.
During the talk session, Bang Alif, an alumnus of Electrical Engineering FTUI class of ’97, shared that Yap Yun Hap was a student who could be a role model. “What I remember most about him is his humility. He had a strong social spirit and cared deeply about the people in his community. Every time he returned home to Grogol, he would gather children to teach them how to read and write,” said Bang Alif.
Bang Kokom, an alumnus of FTUI class of ’96, also shared stories about Yap Yun Hap. Despite being actively involved in protests, he was a bright student who consistently maintained a high GPA.
“As the eldest child in his family, Yap Yun Hap helped support his younger siblings. With his intelligence, he started a tutoring business. From the income he earned, he was also able to finance his own studies,” said Bang Kokom.
Moreover, Yap Yun Hap was known as a proactive figure who led change. Even though he was not formally part of any organization, he was always present in every movement.
Taufik Basari, a lecturer in Philosophy at UI and a human rights activist, stated that remembering Yap Yun Hap is not merely an annual ritual, but a reminder that the struggle for change must never fade.
Yap Yun Hap is remembered as the Eternal Lion of Engineering — a symbol of student activism and the fight for the people of Indonesia.
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Public Communication Office
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
