Hendropriyono Denies Involvement in Government Overthrow Plot

Former Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) A.M. Hendropriyono has asserted that neither he nor his close associates are involved in any actions aimed at overthrowing the legitimate government. He made the statement in response to questions regarding rumours that individuals close to him were behind a wave of movements heavily criticising the government, dismissing the issue or accusations as hoaxes. “Neither I nor the people close to me are involved. There are no friends or family members who do not support the government,” Hendropriyono stated on Friday (19/6). He stressed that he does not support or order any actions intended to topple the lawful administration. According to Hendropriyono, the expression of opinions in public must remain within legal and constitutional boundaries. He therefore reiterated that any information claiming he supports the overthrow of the government is a hoax and slander. He emphasised that national unity, constitutional order, and state safety must always be placed above group interests or fleeting political ambitions. The general, who received the Bintang RI award from President Prabowo Subianto, explained that democracy can only flourish if differences are channelled through peaceful, civilised, and constitutional means. He argued that any unconstitutional efforts threatening national unity and the legitimate government should receive no tolerance in national life. Hendropriyono affirmed that he has always upheld the principle of preserving the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia and national stability, a principle he has held firmly from his active service in the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) through to his retirement. “Since the beginning, my fellow soldiers, both retired and especially those still active, have dedicated themselves to the state in various assignments. Our principle is the same: to safeguard the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia, which is based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, and to maintain national stability,” he said. He then urged the public not to easily believe false information and to always verify any information they receive. “I invite the public not to easily trust hoaxes, especially simulacra. Always check the facts before spreading information, don’t just forward it,” he said. Furthermore, Hendropriyono stated that there is no connection between kinship and political choices or ideology, noting the two cannot be equated. “Children, in-laws, siblings, or relatives may have different political views. They are not always the same,” he said. “In politics, every person is responsible for their own attitudes and actions, not for their family relationships. Kinship is not synonymous with ideological alignment. Blood relations cannot be used as evidence of a political connection. That is what must be upheld if we are truly literate and intellectual,” he added.