Islah Bahrawi at Police Station, Highlights Dangers If Everyone Must Stay Silent

Madura-born Nahdlatul Ulama activist Islah Bahrawi complied with an examination summons concerning a report of alleged incitement at Polda Metro Jaya, South Jakarta, on Wednesday afternoon. Bahrawi was previously reported by a number of parties over remarks perceived as a call to bring down Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during a Halalbihalal event for observers in Utan Kayu, East Jakarta, following last Eid al-Fitr. Before entering the police office, Islah stated that the remarks he made at the Utan Kayu event represented voices or criticism that have not been able to be conveyed by all parties. He said that if everyone among us had to remain silent, then there would no longer be voices from the grassroots who have been feeling afraid to speak, nor anyone capable of representing their minds and intentions to provide firm criticism of the government. Bahrawi added that this is part of an effort to amplify voices circulating within society and that there was no intention of incitement. He stated they merely wanted to connect the tongues of people who are frightened, and there was no desire to build violence, let alone criminal acts. Islah also mentioned that the criticism he conveyed is a form of his love for the country, arguing he must criticise policies deemed detrimental to the people. His lawyer, Tegar Putuhena, said his client is accused of incitement under Article 246 of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of four years for publicly encouraging criminal acts or violent resistance against public authorities. Bahrawi was reported by Robina Akbar of the East Jakarta Community Alliance with the report registered on 8 April 2026. YLBHI Chairman M Isnur asserted that what Bahrawi conveyed constituted criticism, not a threat, and called for Polda Metro Jaya to terminate the legal process, describing the police reports as an old tactic to silence dissent.