Garda Prabowo Reports Former UGM Student Body Chairman to Criminal Investigation Unit

Jakarta - The People’s Movement to Support and Defend Prabowo (Garda Prabowo) has submitted a public complaint against former Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Student Executive Body (BEM) chairman Tiyo Ardianto to the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) over alleged insults directed at the Head of State. Garda Prabowo Legal Aid Institute chairman Daeng Lukman stated that the complaint is based on remarks by Tiyo which the group considers to have insulted the dignity of President Prabowo Subianto. “Our public complaint concerns Mr Tiyo Ardianto, the former UGM BEM chairman who insulted the president using inappropriate language — I believe everyone is aware of the terms used,” he said when met at the Bareskrim building in Jakarta on Thursday. He stressed that Garda Prabowo fundamentally respects freedom of expression and is not anti-criticism. However, he argued that insults and personal attacks against the President cannot be justified. “So, we came to Police Headquarters and we have consulted on this complaint. Whether it will be processed further is another matter. Whether he will later file a formal report, we do not know,” he said. Meanwhile, lawyer Ferdinand Hutahaean, who is assisting Garda Prabowo, said the reported statement by Tiyo involved comparing President Prabowo to an animal. “The statement is extremely disgusting and not appropriate for us to repeat. We fear our children might imitate it,” he said. Another matter raised in the complaint is the alleged spread of false news regarding a tracking device in Tiyo’s car. According to him, this accusation must be clarified because it burdens the government’s position. The politician also emphasised that this complaint is not a form of silencing, but rather serves as a reminder to Tiyo and the wider public that there are limits to freedom of expression. “Criticise as harshly as you like, we support students being vocal because this government also needs to be monitored and corrected if it veers off course. However, we will fight against any attempt at vilification, insult, or harassment of our national leader,” he said.