Mujani After Being Reported to Police: Not Good to Involve Police in Handling Citizens' Opinions

Political analyst Saiful Mujani has spoken out regarding the report filed against him for alleged incitement at the Metro Jaya Regional Police. The report, submitted by Robina Akbar from the East Jakarta Community Alliance, is believed to stem from Saiful’s statements narrated as encouraging the downfall of President Prabowo Subianto. “A legitimate step. But since this is in the realm of civil society and in the form of attitudes and opinions, it should simply be responded to,” Saiful said when contacted on Thursday (9/4). According to Saiful, involving law enforcement authorities, in this case the police, to handle opinions expressed by citizens could actually impact democracy. “It’s not good for democracy if the state [police] gets involved in managing citizens’ opinions and political stances, unless I have physically harmed someone else or deprived someone of their freedom and rights,” he stated. “Just refute it, counter criticism with criticism, but it’s fine if they want to show more clearly that this country is becoming increasingly fascist,” he added. Saiful Mujani was reported for alleged incitement to the Metro Jaya Regional Police on Wednesday (8/4). The report was registered under number LP/B/2428/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, dated 8 April 2026. “Yes, it’s true he was reported on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, around 21:30 WIB,” said the Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, when contacted on Thursday (9/4). In the report, said Budi, the complainant reported Saiful in connection with Article 246 of the Criminal Code, which regulates incitement against public authorities with a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment. “Related to Article 246 of Law 1/2023,” Budi stated. Previously, a clip of Saiful’s video, narrated as encouraging the overthrow of the government, sparked controversy and went viral on social media. Saiful has also explained the intent of his statements. He emphasised that his words were not an act of rebellion but a political stance. “The question is whether my statement can be called ‘treason’? I emphasise that it is not treason, but ‘political engagement’, namely a political stance or attitude expressed on political issues in front of many people,” Mujani said in his statement.