{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1687154,
        "msgid": "observers-reported-authorities-urged-not-to-silence-criticism-1776606803",
        "date": "2026-04-19 20:00:00",
        "title": "Observers Reported, Authorities Urged Not to Silence Criticism",
        "author": "Ardito Ramadhan",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Politics",
        "summary": "Legal expert Andina Elok Puri Maharani from Universitas Sebelas Maret has warned law enforcement agencies against hastily acting on reports targeting academics and observers, emphasising that such actions risk using the law to suppress criticism and undermine democracy. She stresses the need for careful examination of criminal elements in reports and recognition of academic freedom, noting that criticism serves as essential oversight of government. This comes amid reports against figures like Saiful Mujani and Ubedilah Badrun for their critical statements on national politics and the current administration.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A legal expert from Universitas Sebelas Maret\n(UNS), Andina Elok Puri Maharani, has reminded law enforcement\nauthorities not to act rashly in following up on reports against\nacademics and experts.<\/p>\n<p>Andina emphasised that handling such matters without due care risks\nturning the law into a tool to silence criticism and threatens the\nquality of democracy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLaw enforcement authorities must dare to avoid using legal\ninstitutions as a means to silence criticism,\u201d said Andina when\ncontacted by Kompas.com on Sunday (19\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>According to her, authorities must thoroughly study the elements of\nthe reported criminal offence to avoid making the wrong decisions.<\/p>\n<p>She stated that law enforcement has a crucial role in maintaining the\nbalance between upholding the law and protecting freedom of\nexpression.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, every incoming report must be examined carefully,\nparticularly regarding whether the elements of a criminal offence are\nfulfilled.<\/p>\n<p>Andina emphasised that law enforcers also need to understand that the\nacademic space is a free arena for intellectuals to express views based\non their expertise.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAn objective and independent stance is required so as not to be\neasily influenced by elite powers for the interests of certain parties,\u201d\nsaid Andina.<\/p>\n<p>Andina added that the criticism voiced by observers must be viewed as\na form of oversight of government operations.<\/p>\n<p>She stressed that without criticism, the government risks losing\ndirection in exercising power.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA government without criticism will descend into chaos because the\nsovereignty of the people will not function as it should,\u201d said\nAndina.<\/p>\n<p>It was previously reported that several observers and academics have\nbeen reported to the police for their statements criticising the\ngovernment.<\/p>\n<p>Some of those observers include Saiful Mujani, Feri Amsari, and\nUbedilah Badrun.<\/p>\n<p>Saiful Mujani was accused of treason due to a video of him expressing\nviews on the national political situation and stating the need for\nconsolidation to oust the President.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Ubedilah was reported in connection with his statements in\na podcast by Forum Keadilan, which were deemed to offend President\nPrabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.<\/p>\n<p>The complainants assessed that the Forum Keadilan TV podcast video\nfeaturing Ubed as a speaker could disrupt public order.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/observers-reported-authorities-urged-not-to-silence-criticism-1776606803",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}