Hasan Nasbi Fires Back at Saiful Mujani Over Call to Oust Prabowo

Founder of the Cyrus Network polling agency Hasan Nasbi has criticised several observers, including Saiful Mujani, founder of the SMRC research, political consultancy, and policy institute. The criticism was directed at Saiful’s invitation to topple the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. Through his Instagram @hasan_nasbi, he expressed his disappointment towards Saiful. “I am compelled to express my disappointment,” Hasan said on his Instagram, quoted on Monday (6/4). In that post, Hasan also included a clip of Saiful’s statement from an event that he questioned. In the video clip, Saiful Mujani appeared speaking at an event with a backdrop reading ‘Halal Bihalal: Before Observers Are Silenced’. The event, initiated by several observers, was held at the Utan Kayu Community, East Jakarta, on 31 March. Saiful spoke at the end of the event as a senior political observer who was present. “Yes, only we can, the people, ’98 would not have happened if the people and friends did not come down, the MPR would not have brought down Suharto, it would not have,” said Saiful Mujani in the video clip included by Hasan. Hasan, who also served as former Head of the Presidential Communications Office during the Jokowi and Prabowo Subianto eras, took aim at several parties who claim to be democracy fighters but in practice only recognise democracy if the government runs according to their interests. Hasan also noted that such people often succumb to the temptation to make statements that go beyond limits, one of which is the invitation to topple the government. He jabbed that people like that do not understand the essence of democracy, thus contradicting their claim as democracy fighters. “Especially the one calling to topple the president is a professor of political science, a political consultant, a pollster,” he said. He further stated that in democratic life, criticism of the government is commonplace. However, Hasan asserted that an invitation to topple the government is something that goes beyond limits, especially if the government works within its corridors and does not violate the law. “But if the government does not commit violations, does not make mistakes violating the law, does not breach the constitution, but you want to urge the public to topple the president because your feelings are not fulfilled, because your desires are not achieved, that is something unacceptable,” he said.