Dozens of Online Motorbike Taxi Drivers Protest at Saiful Mujani's Office

Dozens of online motorbike taxi drivers affiliated with the Indonesian Online Motorbike Taxi Association (O2) held a demonstration in front of the Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) office in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

The General Chairman of the O2 Indonesia Association, Cecep Saripudin, accused SMRC founder Saiful Mujani of committing sedition by calling for the downfall of President Prabowo Subianto, describing his statements as provocative. “Because his statements are provocative,” he said during his oration.

He claimed that the protesters came from Bekasi, Karawang, and Jakarta. He felt that online motorbike taxi drivers had the right to voice opinions on the nation’s fate. “We are also critical in responding to the dynamics in this country,” he said.

According to him, Saiful Mujani’s narrative was an insult to the people. Yet, President Prabowo Subianto was elected through general elections. “The election contest ultimately produced one great leader,” he said.

He accused Saiful’s call to topple the president of aiming to create chaos in the country. He also accused Saiful of wanting to pit society against each other.

He urged Saiful to apologise for his statements to the public. The online motorbike taxi drivers also demanded that the police immediately investigate the case. He claimed that if the demands were not met, the online motorbike taxi drivers would stage further protests. “We will return with a larger crowd,” he said.

Saiful Mujani had previously sparked controversy with his statements regarding President Prabowo Subianto. At a halal bihalal event titled “Before Observers Are Regulated”, Saiful stated that the way to save Indonesia was to bring down President Prabowo Subianto.

The event was held at Beranda Utan Kayu on Tuesday, 31 March 2026. The gathering served as a space for networking and discussion among observers from various backgrounds. In addition to Saiful Mujani, the event was attended by Feri Amsari, Islah Bahrawi, and Ubedilah Badrun.

Saiful was the closing speaker at the forum. At that time, Saiful described President Prabowo as not presidential. According to him, Prabowo was no longer receptive to advice on improvements.

“If advising Prabowo doesn’t work either. The only way is to bring him down. That is saving, not saving Prabowo, but saving ourselves and this nation,” Saiful said.

Saiful stated that the way to “bring down” Prabowo could not be done through formal procedures such as impeachment via the People’s Consultative Assembly on the proposal of the House of Representatives. For him, the only way was for the public to consolidate to bring down Prabowo.

“In my view, the alternative is not through formal impeachment procedures like that. That won’t work,” Saiful said.

Contacted separately, Saiful Mujani denied committing sedition against President Prabowo Subianto as a result of his statements at the halal bihalal event with several observers on 31 March. He said his statements were an expression of stance and political participation delivered in front of many people.

Saiful said his statements should be understood as peaceful action. He stated that political participation is often aimed at the public interest in various forms.

In a separate opportunity, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said he was not yet aware of what Saiful Mujani had said. “I have a lot of work. I haven’t seen what he said,” Teddy remarked at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.

According to Teddy, Prabowo was also unlikely to be aware of the criticism levelled by Saiful. “Especially the President. The President is handling big things, focusing on more strategic matters,” Teddy said.