Fahri Hamzah Criticises Saiful Mujani's 'Topple Prabowo' Remark: Time for Introspection

A video of SMRC founder Saiful Mujani stating that President Prabowo Subianto should be toppled is circulating widely on social media (medsos) and is perceived as treasonous. Fahri Hamzah, Deputy Chairman of the Gelora Party and Deputy Minister for Food Security and Poverty Alleviation, considers Saiful Mujani’s statement dangerous because it could become unconstitutional.

A clip of Saiful Mujani’s remarks on Prabowo’s leadership is currently viral on social media. In the circulating video, Saiful Mujani discusses toppling Prabowo to save the nation.

“I am not proposing the formal impeachment procedure like that, as it won’t work. The only way is whether we can consolidate ourselves to topple Prabowo, that’s it. If advising Prabowo doesn’t work, the only option is to bring him down. That is saving, not saving Prabowo but saving ourselves and this nation,” said Saiful Mujani in the viral video, as seen on Sunday (5/4).

Fahri Calls It Dangerous

After a limited meeting with Prabowo at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday (6/4/2026), Fahri Hamzah addressed Saiful Mujani’s statement. Fahri emphasised not permitting unconstitutional actions.

“So we suggest speaking within the framework of constitutional democracy. Do not give permission or space to unconstitutional actions. Because that would be dangerous,” said Fahri.

According to Fahri, unconstitutional actions can take many forms. However, Fahri stressed the current state of the country and the world, which requires unity and solidarity.

“If everyone is allowed to permit unconstitutional actions, with our country in this state, the world in chaos, and us needing agreement and consensus, we should speak within constitutional forums,” he stated.

In the constitutional system, said Fahri, the President is not the sole holder of power. According to Fahri, there are other branches of power that can also be held accountable as part of the collective responsibility of the state to the people.

“I think, my friends agree on that. Especially for activists, we fought so hard to build our democracy. If we allow chaos to return, it will be troublesome. So, please introspect as well,” said Fahri.

“The world is not allowing us to mess around right now. The world needs us to be united and compact. Especially when talking about Mr Prabowo, he has no bad intentions. All this is for the people. But if he says there are savings and so on, we can adjust. Indeed, there are many leaks and wastes everywhere. That’s what we need to fix. All intentions are good,” he added.

Saiful Mujani Responds

Saiful Mujani has responded after his statement went viral on social media. Saiful Mujani said the remark was in response to Prabowo’s statement about regulating observers.

“My statement was at a halal bihalal event themed ‘halal bihalal for observers who are to be regulated.’ I spoke at the end, the closing. Before that, several friends had spoken like Ubaidillah Badrun, Dr Sukidi, Romo Setyo, Ferry Amsari, Islah Bahrawi, and others. They all gave evaluative views on the president’s performance after more than a year in office,” said Saiful Mujani when confirmed.

“Specifically pressuring the threats to activists and observers following Prabowo’s statement about regulating observers based on intelligence data he has as president,” he added.

Saiful Mujani said the statement in the video was a political stance as a citizen, academic, or political expert. Saiful Mujani stated that freedom of expression is protected by the 1945 Constitution.

“Including my statement of stance that President Prabowo must be brought down as a response to the accumulated national political conditions under his leadership,” said Mujani.

Saiful Mujani emphasised that there is no word ‘treason’ in the statement he made. Saiful Mujani assessed that those accusing him of treason might have misunderstood.

“There is no word ‘treason’ in my statement of stance; what there is is an expression of my freedom of speech, opinion, and assembly with the friends present. All that is our political right as citizens, guaranteed by the Constitution. The word treason was used by a KSP staff member posted on social media. Perhaps a misunderstanding or lack of understanding of citizens’ political rights. Treason is legal language,” he said.

Saiful Mujani then touched on the meaning of treason in the new Criminal Code. “Look at the new Criminal Code, what is meant by treason. Opining, taking stances, and assembling, including regarding ideas to bring down the president, is a political right of citizens guaranteed by the Constitution. According to the new Criminal Code, treason is physical actions attacking or injuring the President, separatism, and so on,” said Saiful Mujani.

“What I conveyed is far from the requirements of treason. I am quite knowledgeable about what is allowed and what is not in the context of being a citizen,” he continued.

Saiful Mujani denied that his statement equates to treason. According to him, what he conveyed is political participation. Saiful Mujani gave the example of the 1998 Reformasi events.

“Democracy is not just elections; we can bring down Prabowo before the 2029 election. This participation is not treason, like when we brought down Suharto before. The demonstrations that pressured Suharto and led to his resignation, the demonstrators did not commit treason. They saved the nation and state,” he said.

Saiful Mujani stated that committing treason is difficult. According to him, the current President is also not easy to impeach because the MPR to the DPR are considered connected to Prabowo’s leadership.

“For us, Prabowo can also be impeached, removed from office. In my belief, the requirements for impeachment are sufficient. But impeachment depends heavily on the DPR, MK, and MPR. But objectively, they cannot be expected to do that; they are all part of the President,” he said.

“Committing treason is not only prohibited but difficult to do. It requires large resources for that, like”