Mahfud MD Expresses Pride in UGM Student Council Leader for Courting Government Criticism

JAKARTA — Former Constitutional Court Chief Mahfud MD has expressed pride in Tiyo Adrianto, chairman of the UGM Student Council, for his willingness to criticise various government policies.

“I must be honest, I am proud,” Mahfud said, speaking via his official YouTube channel on Friday 27 February 2026.

Mahfud revealed he had met Tiyo during an audience held by the Police Reform Acceleration Commission at UGM in December 2025. He praised Tiyo’s articulate, rational approach to presenting data with accuracy whilst maintaining politeness.

“This young man dares to do this and must be protected. Because historically, those who now lead this nation were young people brave like this, capable of driving change,” Mahfud stated.

“If brave young people are not nurtured but instead terrorised, and their mothers are implicated, this nation is not healthy,” he added.

Mahfud also referenced denials concerning alleged intimidation experienced by Tiyo. He noted that whilst blame can be deflected between parties—whether government or paid online operatives—without concrete evidence of state involvement, accountability remains unclear.

“That is what intimidation is about—people blaming each other. ‘It was not me, it was not the government.’ There is no proof of government involvement. Then paid online operatives say ‘it was not us’ and so on. Who knows?” he said.

Mahfud called upon the state to act in the collective interest, reminding all parties that history demonstrates change will occur naturally over time. He urged responsibility and cautioned against arbitrary action.