Pigai Denies Terror Threats Against UGM Student Leader Originated from Government: The Law Never Silences People
Jakarta, VIVA – Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has declared that the terror threats experienced by Tiyo Ardianto, chairman of the Student Executive Board (BEM) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), could not possibly have originated from the government.
Pigai made the statement during a press conference at the Ministry of Human Rights office in Jakarta on Friday, 20 February 2026, in response to intimidation directed at Tiyo and his family following his public criticism of government policy.
According to the minister, President Prabowo Subianto has affirmed that the law must not be wielded by those in power to serve their own interests or to suppress human rights. He therefore maintained it was impossible for the government to have terrorised its own citizens.
“The law will never be used as a tool of the powerful to justify their version of truth and silence people — never. That is why I can assure you that these threats could not possibly have come from the government,” he said.
Regarding the identity of the actual perpetrators, Pigai said the matter falls under the responsibility of the security apparatus. He stressed that the police must uncover those behind the threats against Tiyo and his family.
“If you staged this yourself, or if someone else is behind the threats, that is a matter for the police. We are asking the police to investigate and conduct enquiries. In my view, it is indeed the police who must reveal who the real perpetrators are,” he said.
In addition, Pigai drew attention to the substance of Tiyo’s criticism, which was conveyed through a letter to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), particularly the section linking the free nutritious meals programme (MBG) to the 2029 general elections.
“How could he connect it to the 2029 elections? Does he not understand the feelings of ordinary people who need food? Why link it to the 2029 elections?” he remarked.
The minister went on to say that criticism is inherently permissible in a democratic state. However, he cautioned that it should be delivered with proper etiquette.
“If you insult, that is not allowed. For the Indonesian nation, it is unethical. If you criticise, that is fine — anytime, you are free to criticise. The state gives you the opportunity to offer criticism. But do not insult,” he said.
It was previously reported that BEM UGM chairman Tiyo Ardianto received threatening WhatsApp messages warning of abduction from a number with a British country code.
Beyond the kidnapping threats, the intimidator also sent messages accusing Tiyo of being a foreign agent and seeking attention. “Foreign agent. Stop seeking the spotlight peddling rubbish narratives,” the message read.