From Criticism to Police Reports: Freedom of Speech Questioned

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Academics, political researchers, and experts have been increasingly reported to the police recently for allegedly making statements containing hate speech and calls to overthrow the government. At least two academics and political researchers have been embroiled in such cases: constitutional law expert Feri Amsari and political observer Ubedillah Badrun. The public has raised questions regarding these reports against academics. Is it true that freedom of speech can so easily be categorised as treason and punishable? According to him, an individual’s opinion or view containing criticism of government policy is a human right guaranteed by the constitution, and thus cannot be criminalised. “An opinion or view containing criticism of a policy is a human right of citizens guaranteed by the constitution, so it cannot be punished or imprisoned,” said Pigai in a press release received by Kompas.com on Saturday (18/4/2026). Instead of being taken to court, public opinions or views should be responded to with data, facts, and credible information by the authorities. “(Feri Amsari) does not have competence in that field. Not to mention reporting to the police, it does not even need to be responded to,” explained Pigai. Pigai emphasised that criticism cannot be brought into the criminal realm, unless it contains elements of incitement towards treason accompanied by ad hominem actions, or is an attack on specific ethnic groups, races, and religions. Meanwhile, the statements made by Feri Amsari and Ubedillah Badrun remain within the corridor of general criticism of public policy. “The statements by Feri Amsari and Ubedillah Badrun remain within the corridor of general criticism of public policy,” stressed Pigai. Reflecting on experiences during the administration of the 7th President Joko Widodo, many criticisms ultimately proved correct. Criticism is actually healthy for democracy. “Actually, PDI Perjuangan also wants to share. When we were in the government, especially in President Jokowi’s second term, many criticisms emerged. And it turned out that many of the criticisms given were truths,” said Hasto when met at the PDI-P Party School on Saturday (18/4/2026).