Puan Responds to Activist Reports, Reminds That Criticism Must Be Civil
House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani has spoken out regarding reports filed against several activists in recent times, stemming from their criticisms of the government.
Puan has encouraged the enforcement of the law with fairness. However, she reminded that criticism must still be conveyed civilly and not tendentiously.
“The law must be upheld as fairly as possible, but we must also maintain ethics in delivering criticism so that it can be done civilly,” said Puan after the DPR plenary session at the parliamentary complex on Tuesday (21/4).
She stated that criticism should be delivered by prioritising the principle of mutual respect. Likewise, the criticised party should accept it wisely if presented objectively.
“So we must continue to prioritise mutual appreciation and respect,” said Puan.
Several activists are currently facing legal processes after being reported for alleged incitement and false news. To date, observers and activists have been reported to the police.
They include political expert Saiful Mujani, NU activist from Madura Islah Bahrawi, UNJ lecturer Ubedilah Badrun, and criminal law expert Feri Amsari.
Saiful Mujani was reported by Robina Akbar from the East Jakarta Community Alliance to Polda Metro Jaya for alleged incitement. The report is recorded under number LP/B/2428/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, dated 8 April 2026.
The same individual also reported Islah for the same alleged article. Then, there is a report against Ubedilah following his statement calling Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka a burden to the nation.
The report against Ubedilah was filed by 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.
Finally, the report against Constitutional Law Expert from Andalas University Feri Amsari stems from his remarks regarding criticism of food self-sufficiency. The report relates to alleged criminal violations under Article 263 and/or Article 264 on false news according to Number LP/8/2692/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA.
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai regrets the reports against these activists. According to him, opinions or views containing criticism of a policy are human rights guaranteed by the constitution for citizens, so they cannot be criminalised or imprisoned.
Pigai therefore suspects a wave of police reports against observers in recent times as a scenario to undermine or downgrade the Prabowo-Gibran government, making it seem anti-criticism and anti-democracy.
Because, he said, the Prabowo-Gibran government places human rights values and democracy as the main foundation.
“Public opinions or views should be responded to with data, facts, and credible information by the authorities,” said Pigai in a written statement last week.