GCP Volunteers Report Budi Arie to Police Criminal Investigation Centre Over 'Faster Than 2029' Remarks
Volunteers from the Gerakan Cinta Prabowo (GCP) movement have reported the Chairman of Projo, Budi Arie Setiadi, to the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Centre (Bareskrim) regarding his remarks concerning a historical fracture and the instinct for a transition ‘sooner than 2029’. The Chairman of GCP, H. Kurniawan, stated that this legal action was taken because Budi Arie’s statements were deemed hurtful to the supporters of President Prabowo Subianto.
“We are reporting Mr BA regarding his post in one of the media outlets, suggesting that they have already prepared for a change of leadership or President before the year 2029,” said Kurniawan at the Bareskrim Polri building, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Monday (2/9/2026).
“This certainly hurts the feelings of Prabowo’s supporters, especially while we are focused on addressing disasters in NTT, and forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra,” he continued.
Kurniawan expressed regret over Budi Arie’s comments in the post. According to the complainant, President Prabowo holds Budi Arie and the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), in high regard.
“That is why today I am taking legal action to teach all Indonesian people that even in a democracy, there are boundaries that no one can violate or bypass through legal infractions,” he stated.
Regarding the apology already issued by Budi Arie, Kurniawan dismissed the gesture as nothing more than a repetitive excuse. “An apology is just an old song on a new cassette. Legal consequences must proceed as a lesson. Apologising is easy, especially during Eid,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, GCP legal counsel, Dony Endrassanto, explained that they have submitted several pieces of evidence, including videos and electronic media. Budi Arie has been reported under Articles 193 and 246 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).
“Article 193 relates to statements intended to accelerate elections or treason. Meanwhile, Article 246 relates to incitement of an audience. In the video, there is an invitation asking, ‘Are you ready for the acceleration of the Election? Ready.’ That is where the element of incitement arises,” explained Dony.
Dony noted that the legal action against Budi Arie is currently at the stage of a public report (dumas) and has been received by the Directorate of General Crimes at Bareskrim Polri.
“It was received this afternoon. It is still a public report because several aspects regarding the synchronisation of the applicable articles need to be aligned. However, it is proceeding; we are simply waiting for the next summons for the testimony of the reporter and witnesses,” he added.
Budi Arie previously apologised for the controversy surrounding his remarks regarding a historical fracture and the instinct for a transition ‘sooner than 2029’. Budi Arie emphasised that his statements were personal and had no connection to Jokowi.
After the video of his remarks went viral, Budi Arie issued an apology on Wednesday (26/8). Through a video statement shared with journalists, Budi Arie provided three points of clarification regarding the controversy.
One of the points stated that his remarks regarding the potential for an acceleration before 2029 had no connection to Jokowi, who was seated next to him at the time.
“The statement has no connection or link to Mr Joko Widodo,” said Budi Arie.