Former UGM Student Body Chair Tiyo Reported to Bareskrim for Allegedly Insulting Prabowo
Former chair of the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Student Executive Body (BEM), Tiyo Ardianto, has been reported to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim). The public complaint against Tiyo was filed by the People’s Movement to Support and Defend Prabowo (Garda Prabowo).
Daeng Lukman, head of the Legal Aid Institute of Garda Prabowo, stated that his organisation respects freedom of expression and criticism of government policy as a constitutional right. However, he argued that Tiyo’s remarks had crossed into insult, degradation of dignity, and a personal attack against President Prabowo Subianto that cannot be justified.
“This relates to our public complaint earlier. Our complaint concerns Mr Tiyo Ardianto, the former UGM BEM chair, who insulted the President with inappropriate words, which I think everyone is aware of,” Lukman said at Bareskrim Polri in South Jakarta on Thursday (18/6/2026).
Lukman revealed that Garda Prabowo did not file a direct police report because current regulations require alleged insult cases to be reported directly by the aggrieved party. He explained that the public complaint lodged today represents Garda Prabowo’s effort to channel the aspirations of citizens who feel a president should not be subjected to such treatment.
“Why did we file a public complaint? Because members of the Indonesian public have been coming to Garda Prabowo’s headquarters, which is essentially our base camp, his supporters. We cannot simply ignore this. So we came to the National Police Headquarters and, after consultation, we submitted this public complaint,” he explained.
Lukman was accompanied by two other advocates, Sunan Kalijaga and Ferdinand Hutahahean, who also outlined their reasons for supporting Garda Prabowo’s complaint.
“This is very important and necessary. I want to appeal, especially to educated young Indonesians. Please, go ahead and express your opinions, suggestions, and criticisms to anyone, including the President and the government. However, as educated young people, you should convey them properly and correctly,” Sunan Kalijaga stated.
Ferdinand Hutahahean added, “Mr Sunan and I, as lawyers, were asked by our colleagues from Garda Prabowo to provide legal assistance. The step taken is already very good, namely pursuing a legal route by filing a public complaint with the police regarding a statement by Mr Tiyo that compared our president to an animal. That statement is utterly disgusting and unfit to be repeated, lest our children imitate it.”
Ferdinand further explained there is also an allegation of spreading false news concerning the installation of a tracking device or radar finder in the car used by Tiyo. He noted that this complaint also aims to clarify the alleged installation of the tracking device, which he said has generated accusations and is considered to unfairly implicate the government.
On the other hand, he assured that Garda Prabowo’s public complaint to Bareskrim is not related to any attempt at silencing dissent. He confirmed Garda Prabowo has no intention of imprisoning Tiyo, but merely seeks to remind him to offer criticism politely.
“Garda Prabowo has absolutely no intention of imprisoning Mr Tiyo, none at all. But we have been asked to ensure that Tiyo realises that in this country, everything has its rules. Our constitution regulates freedom of expression, but it does not regulate freedom to curse, insult, or demean. So that is what we want to remind the entire public and fellow students who have been demonstrating lately: to uphold decency,” he added.
Tiyo has also been reported to the South Tangerang Metropolitan Police by lawyer Firdaus Oiwobo. detikcom has contacted both Firdaus Oiwobo and Tiyo Ardianto for comment regarding the report, but no further explanation had been received at the time of publication.