Coordinating Minister Yusril: Government Never Views Criticism as an Enemy

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections (Menko Kumham Imipas) Prof Yusril Ihza Mahendra has responded to allegations that the government is anti-criticism. On the contrary, he said, the sharper the criticism from academics towards the government, the happier the government will be.

According to him, with sharp criticism, the government can review or re-examine policies that have been issued. “So, the government never sees those who criticise as enemies. Especially in my case, as I am fundamentally an academic,” Yusril stated when met in Jakarta on Saturday (25/4/2026).

According to Yusril, the same applies to President Prabowo Subianto, who greatly welcomes criticism of the government. Therefore, he continued, academics are free to criticise in principle.

Regarding the constitutional law expert from Andalas University, Feri Amsari, who was reported to the police for his criticism of the government’s food self-sufficiency policy, Yusril said the police are processing the report as part of their duties and functions. Thus, the police cannot reject the report.

Nevertheless, he will advise the police to conduct clarification on the submitted report. “The reporter should be heard first, and Mr Feri can be called in for questioning. So, it’s impossible for there to be a report and the police to stay silent; otherwise, the police could be sued,” Yusril stated.

Previously, House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani said that criticisms expressed must prioritise mutual respect and honour. She conveyed this in response to the phenomenon of criticisms leading to police reports.

She said that the delivery of criticism must be understood by both parties, both the one delivering it and the one being criticised. The critic must behave well, and the recipient of criticism must be ready to accept it.

“The law must be enforced as fairly as possible, but we must also maintain ethics in giving criticism so that it can be done politely,” Puan said after a plenary session at the Parliamentary Complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/4/2026).

Puan believes that the criticised party will make improvements if the criticism is delivered well, meaning constructive criticism. Therefore, she allows criticism to be given appropriately.