Pigai: No Lightning and Thunder Regime Change
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has highlighted the statement by political observer Saiful Mujani regarding the issue of ‘toppling Prabowo’. Pigai views the statement as unfounded and likens it to walking without direction.
According to Pigai, Saiful Mujani, now 63 years old, falls into the category of activists from the 1980s era who possess a different character compared to activists from the 1950s to the 1990s reform period.
‘He is just rambling to seek attention, but he lacks experience in change movements, akin to “walking without a torch at night”. Blind in the darkness,’ said Pigai in a written statement on Monday (6/4/2026).
For information, the statement was delivered by Saiful Mujani during an event titled ‘Halal Bihalal: Before Observers Are Silenced’ held at the Utan Kayu Community on Wednesday (31/3).
On that occasion, Saiful attended as a senior political observer and spoke at the end of the event. He touched on the people’s role in political change, including referencing the 1998 reform events.
Furthermore, Pigai affirmed that criticism of the government is legitimate as long as it aims for improvement. However, he cautioned against including intentions to replace the administration before its time.
Pigai shared his experience in the 1999 reform, where he was an activist in SMID, PRD, LMND, PMKRI, Student Senate, and Chairman of the International Papua Students.
He also mentioned that the 1998 movement was inseparable from issues in Timor Leste, Aceh, and Papua, and affirmed himself as Chairman of Papua Students and a participant in the 1999 reform.
‘To reach the 1999 reform, we had been working for 5 years beforehand. From 1994, emerging again in 1996, peaking in 1997, massive movement in 1998, where I myself burned Gejayan 98 (because Moses Gatotkaca passed away) which is now famous with the slogan “Gejayan Memanggil”, until the reform could finally be achieved in 1999. There is no such thing as a regime change like lightning and thunder,’ he stressed.
Furthermore, Pigai assessed that the current situation does not allow for a regime change in a short time. He also mentioned the solidity of the TNI and Polri as well as Indonesia’s position in the eyes of the international world.
‘I witnessed with my own eyes UN Secretary-General Gutierrez asking President Prabowo to contribute to creating world peace, including maintaining regional peace. From this, I conclude that the circumstances do not allow for a regime change, so it will not achieve short-term targets as stated by Saiful Mujani. Just wait for the battle in 2029,’ he said.
Pigai also explained that the economic condition shows a positive trend, one of which is through the Gini Ratio Index which he said is at 0.363, the best in the last 15 years.
‘Almost 50% of the state budget is distributed to the people in various forms of programmes. The majority of the people love Prabowo,’ he said.
In addition, Pigai criticised Saiful Mujani’s views, which he considered to follow an old development approach that does not favour the people.
‘He might be an aristocrat following the “state budget for building skyscrapers adorned with gold layers, bridges without rivers adorning metropolis cities. Do not be a scientist who desires”Development Without Feeling”,’ he revealed.
He also reminded Muzani to read and reflect on a book titled “DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT FEELING: Evaluation of the Fulfilment of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the New Order”.
‘Read this book and reflect with the eyes of the heart and say in your heart that the government’s programmes are on the right path,’ he concluded.