Minister Pigai: Criticism by Feri Amsari and Ubedilah Badrun Cannot Be Criminalised
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai stated that the criticism expressed by constitutional law expert Feri Amsari and academic Ubedilah Badrun does not need to be taken to the legal realm.
According to him, an individual’s opinion or view containing criticism of government policies is a human right guaranteed by the constitution, and thus cannot be criminalised.
“An opinion or view containing criticism of a policy constitutes a human right for citizens guaranteed by the constitution, so it cannot be punished or imprisoned,” Pigai said in a press release received by Kompas.com on Saturday (18/4/2026).
On that occasion, Pigai emphasised that public opinions or views should be responded to with data, facts, and credible information by the relevant authorities.
Pigai reiterated that criticism cannot be brought into the criminal realm, unless it contains elements of incitement towards rebellion accompanied by ad hominem actions, or constitutes attacks on specific ethnic groups, races, and religions.
“The statements by Feri Amsari and Ubedilah Badrun remain within the corridor of general criticism of public policy,” said Pigai.
It was previously reported that several academics, political researchers, and experts have been reported to the police in recent days.
They were reported for making statements deemed to be hate speech and calls to overthrow the government.
The report against Feri was submitted to Polda Metro Jaya by Gerakan Tani Merdeka Indonesia on Friday (17/4/2026). The report was registered under number LP/B/2692/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA.
In addition to that report, Polda Metro also received another report against Feri Amsari.
That report was filed by an individual with initials RMN on Thursday (16/4/2026).
In both reports, Feri Amsari was charged under Article 246 of the new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHP) which regulates incitement.
As evidence, the complainants submitted a flash drive containing digital documents related to Feri’s statements and data analysis documents.