Claiming Consolidation Will Topple Prabowo, Saiful Mujani Reported to Metro Jaya Police

Founder of Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC), Saiful Mujani, has been officially reported to Metro Jaya Police for alleged public incitement. The report stems from his statements at a halal bihalal event, which the public deemed to contain calls to topple President Prabowo Subianto.

Head of Public Relations for Metro Jaya Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, confirmed the report against the academic. The report was filed by Robina Akbar from the East Jakarta Community Alliance and registered under number LP/B/2428/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, dated 8 April 2026.

“Yes, it’s true he was reported on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, around 9:30 PM WIB,” Budi stated when contacted on Thursday (9/4/2026).

Budi said the complainant suspects Saiful Mujani violated Article 246 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP).

The issue originated from a clip of Saiful Mujani’s speech that went viral on social media. In the video, he explicitly mentioned consolidation steps outside formal parliamentary procedures.

“My alternative is not the formal-formal impeachment procedure like that. That won’t work; the only thing that will is: can we consolidate ourselves to topple Prabowo,” Saiful said in the circulating video recording.

Saiful also added that the step to topple the head of state is an effort to save the nation. “Only that; if advising Prabowo doesn’t work either, the only option is to topple him. That’s saving, not saving Prabowo but saving ourselves and this nation,” he concluded in the video.

Responding to the police report against him, Saiful Mujani views the action as legally valid but inappropriate in a democratic context. He believes that an opinion or political stance should be countered with arguments, not through legal channels.

“It’s not good for democracy if the state (police) gets involved in handling citizens’ opinions and political stances. Just refute it; counter criticism with criticism,” Saiful said when asked separately.

Furthermore, he is concerned that involving authorities in matters of differing opinions will only show a more repressive face of the state. According to him, the criminal realm should only be invoked if there is physical violence or direct violation of others’ rights.

“Unless I physically harm someone else or deprive someone of their rights,” he stated.