Mujani, Islah, and Ubedilah Badrun Reported to Police over Alleged Incitement
Several observers and activists, who are also academics, have been reported to the police due to statements perceived as criticisms of the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
At least three figures have been reported to the police: political analyst and head of the Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) survey institution, Saiful Mujani; Nahdlatul Ulama activist from Madura, Islah Bahrawi; and sociologist and lecturer at Jakarta State University (UNJ), Ubedilah Badrun.
Reports Against Saiful and Islah
Saiful and Islah were reported to the Metro Jaya Regional Police for alleged incitement against the authorities, stemming from statements narrated as calls to topple President Prabowo Subianto.
It is known that snippets of these statements went viral on social media. Mujani made the remarks at the Observers’ Halal Bihalal event held after Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah in 2026.
The Observers’ Halal Bihalal was organised, among other reasons, in response to Prabowo’s earlier statement that he would ‘discipline observers’.
Mujani is a Professor of Political Science at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah. He is also the founder of the Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC), a political and policy research and consulting firm.
Meanwhile, Islah, or more familiarly known as Gus Islah, is a Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figure from Madura. Previously known as the Executive Director of the Indonesian Moderate Network (JMI), Gus Islah once served as an Expert Staff on Preventing Radicalism, Extremism, and Terrorism at National Police Headquarters.
He is known for actively advocating religious moderation and the dangers of politicising religion.
The report against Mujani and Islah was filed by an individual named Robina Akbar, who claims to be from the East Jakarta Community Alliance.
Robina reported Saiful Mujani and Islah Bahrawi to the Metro Jaya Regional Police for alleged incitement. The report was immediately accepted by the police and registered under number LP/B/2428/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, dated 8 April 2026.
Quoting detik.com, Robina, as the complainant, stated that the statements by Mujani and Islah are no longer a matter of freedom of opinion but have become criminal acts.
“Because statements like this are no longer just opinions but have entered the category of criminal acts,” she claimed.
Therefore, continued Robina, she, representing the East Jakarta Community Alliance, reported Islah Bahrawi and Saiful Mujani on the grounds that their statements have caused unrest and have the potential to divide the nation.
“For that reason, the East Jakarta Community Alliance urges the police to act quickly to thoroughly investigate this case,” she said.
Regarding the criminalisation efforts against him, Mujani described it as a legitimate step. However, according to him, it would be better if the statements he made were responded to through a response to the current situation of the state and nation of Indonesia.
“A legitimate step. But because this is in the realm of civil society and in the form of attitudes and opinions, it should just be responded to [with rebuttals or improvements],” said Saiful when confirmed on Thursday.
Mujani also stated that involving law enforcement authorities, in this case the police, to handle opinions expressed by citizens could instead erode democracy.
“It’s not good for democracy if the state [police] gets involved in managing citizens’ opinions and political attitudes, unless I have physically harmed someone or deprived others of their freedom and rights,” he said.
“Just rebut it, criticism against criticism, but it’s fine if they want to show more clearly that this country is becoming increasingly fascist,” he added.
Report Against Ubedilah
Meanwhile, Ubedilah was reported to the Metro Jaya Regional Police due to his statement calling Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka a burden on the nation.
Ubedilah is a political observer as well as a lecturer at Jakarta State University (UNJ). He is also known as a former 1998 activist who helped topple the New Order (Orba) regime under President Soeharto.
The report against Ubedilah was filed by the Coordinator of Pemuda Garda Nusantara, Rangga Kurnia Septian. The report was immediately accepted by the police and registered under number LP/B/2560/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, dated 13 April 2026.
For information, the statement was made by Ubedilah in a podcast uploaded to the YouTube channel Forum Keadilan TV titled ‘Ubedillah Badrun: Prabowo Gibran Beban Bangsa’.
In the video, Ubedilah described the Prabowo-Gibran government as already a burden on the Indonesian nation and that its power must be ended immediately.
According to him, the Prabowo-Gibran government also has inherent flaws from the start, particularly constitutional flaws in the 2024 presidential election process.
As information, Gibran’s candidacy as vice presidential candidate was inseparable from the steps taken by the Constitutional Court (MK), which was then chaired by Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) brother-in-law, Anwar Usman. Gibran—who before the MK’s decision was not old enough to run in the 2024 presidential election—is Jokowi’s eldest son.
Although the MK’s decision has the force of law remains, the Constitutional Court’s Honour Court (MKMK) investigation found allegations of ethical violations committed by Anwar, leading to his removal from the MK Chairmanship. Anwar then remained a constitutional judge until his recent retirement.
“Argumentatively, I am convinced that Prabowo-Gibran is a burden to this nation,” said Ubedilah in the podcast.