April 19, 2026 | 09:46 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of practitioners and academics have recently been reported to the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police. Among those targeted are Saiful Mujani, founder of Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC); Ubedilah Badrun, a lecturer at the State University of Jakarta (UNJ); and Feri Amsari, a legal scholar from Andalas University.
They were reported following criticisms directed at President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during various public events. The details of the cases are as follows:
Saiful Mujani
Saiful Mujani was reported to the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police by Robina Akbar, representing the East Jakarta Community Alliance. "Yes, he was indeed reported," confirmed Sr. Comr. Budi Hermanto, Head of the Public Relations Division of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
The report alleges incitement against authorities based on statements Saiful made during a gathering of observers. The complainant cited alleged violations of Article 246 of the Criminal Code.
The controversial remarks involved Saiful’s views on "saving Indonesia." During an event titled "Before Observers Are Disciplined," Saiful argued that removing President Prabowo Subianto from office was a necessary step to protect the nation.
Saiful considered that while a police report is a procedural reality, his expressions were merely personal opinions that should not be criminalized. "Just refute it. Criticism should be countered with criticism," Saiful said.
Ubedilah Badrun
Ubedilah Badrun, a lecturer at the State University of Jakarta (UNJ), was reported to the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police on April 13, 2026. The report stems from a podcast appearance in which he referred to President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka as a "burden to the nation."
Ubedilah noted that the complainant accused him of hate speech following his remarks. "I find the report strange," Ubedilah told Tempo on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
He asserted that he had no intention of spreading hatred toward Prabowo or Gibran. "What I said was purely a critique of the country’s current state, rooted in data and scholarship," Ubedilah explained.
To date, Ubedilah has not received a summons for clarification from the police and stated he does not know the identity of the party who filed the report.
Feri Amsari
Feri Amsari, a Constitutional Law expert at Andalas University, was reported to the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police by two separate parties. Like Saiful Mujani, Feri was targeted for statements made during a gathering of observers.
Sr. Comr. Budi Hermanto stated that the first report was filed by a student identified by the initials RMN. "The complainant reported alleged violations of Article 246 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code," Budi said on Friday, April 17, 2026.
A day later, Feri was reported again by Minta Ito Simamora, representing the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Tani. Budi confirmed that the complainant submitted several pieces of evidence that are currently being reviewed by investigators.
According to Ito, Feri's comments during the observers' gathering had the potential to sow discord between farmers and traders. "When Feri Amsari claimed that we are not self-sufficient, it was deeply unsettling to the farmers," Ito said.
Hammam Izzuddin and Oyuk Ivani Siagian contributed to this article.
Read: List of Intimidation Acts Targeting Indonesian Activists, Influencers in 2025
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