Former UGM Student Body President Tiyo Ardianto Faces Multiple Police Reports
Former President of the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Student Executive Body (BEM), Tiyo Ardianto, has been reported by lawyer Firdaus Oiwobo to the South Tangerang (Tangsel) Police. Tiyo has also been the subject of a public complaint to the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) by the People’s Movement to Support and Defend Prabowo (Garda Prabowo).
Firdaus stated the police report in South Tangerang was made over alleged insults against the President or Head of State. “I am reporting the former BEM UGM president because he insulted the Head of State, Mr Prabowo Subianto, and insulted Mas Gibran, and defamed the SPPG and MBG,” Firdaus said in a personal Instagram post. Tiyo was reported under Article 263 of the Criminal Code Law 1 of 2023 and/or Articles 433 and 434 of the Criminal Code. Firdaus assessed that Tiyo had incited opposition against the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. “He also insulted and defamed Mr Prabowo’s programme a lot. That is why today I am going after him,” he said.
Firdaus also indicated he would report other parties, though he did not specify who. He warned Tiyo not to personally attack state officials when voicing criticism. “Tiyo, you are a newcomer, just recently became an activist. Being critical is allowed, but do not insult. Do not attack Mr Prabowo personally. Do not insult Mas Gibran. If you insult them, I will go after you,” he explained. The report against Tiyo Ardianto was confirmed by South Tangerang Police Public Relations Head, Ipda Yudhi Susanto. The report is now being investigated by the South Tangerang Metro Police Criminal Investigation Unit.
Meanwhile, Garda Prabowo’s Legal Aid Institute Chairman, Daeng Lukman, said his organisation respects freedom of expression and criticism of government policy as a constitutional right. However, Lukman believes Tiyo’s statements crossed into the realm of insult, degradation of dignity, and personal attacks against President Prabowo Subianto. Lukman explained that Garda Prabowo did not immediately file a police report because current regulations require reports of alleged insults to be made directly by the aggrieved party. He described the public complaint as an effort to accommodate the aspirations of citizens who feel a president should not be insulted.
Lukman was accompanied by two other advocates, Sunan Kalijaga and Ferdinand Hutahahean. Sunan urged the educated younger generation to deliver opinions, suggestions, and criticism properly and correctly. Ferdinand added there was also the spread of false news regarding the installation of a tracking device or radar finder in a car used by Tiyo, which he said was an attempt to clarify allegations that cornered the government. He stressed that Garda Prabowo’s complaint to Bareskrim Polri was not an attempt to silence dissent and that the group had no intention of imprisoning Tiyo, but merely wanted to remind him to offer criticism politely.