Reporter Claims Feri Amsari's Statement Offends Farmers' Feelings

Jakarta, VIVA – Observer and academic Feri Amsari has been reported to the Metro Jaya Police. This stems from his statement criticising the food self-sufficiency achieved by the government of President Prabowo Subianto. Feri’s statement is deemed to constitute false news or hoaxes.

There are two reports against Feri, one of which was filed by the LBH Tani Nusantara legal aid organisation. Following up on the report, today the Metro Jaya Police examined representatives from LBH Tani Nusantara.

“Regarding our report yesterday, we received a summons to be questioned as the reporter, for LBH Tani Nusantara,” said the General Chairman of LBH Tani Nusantara, Minta Ito Simamora, on Thursday, 23 April 2026.

During the examination, Minta was questioned on around 20 topics by investigators. “The questions were about who was reported, where the incident occurred,” he said.

No new evidence was provided by their side during the examination. Furthermore, LBH Tani Nusantara hopes that the examination process continues. Because, according to Minta, the law must be upheld.

“We hope this proceeds to the next stage, to be verified with the data held by Feri Amsari against the data we have,” he said.

Jeffri Mangapul Simanjuntak from the Advocacy, Litigation, and Inter-Agency Relations Division of LBH Tani Nusantara added that the narrative created by Feri Amsari is not merely criticism of the government. But a statement that wounds the hearts of farmers.

“However, this is the demand of the farmers. Where the government has worked hard, there is abundant fertiliser subsidy provision, food self-sufficiency rice, that is already in the field and truly felt by the farmers. This demand was conveyed to us at LBH Tani Nusantara,” he said.

They deny that this reporting is an act of criminalising critical stance against the government. What LBH Tani Nusantara is doing, said Jeffri, is actually protecting Feri from vigilante actions by parties disappointed with the man’s statement.

“This should not become confusing in the midst of society. That we filed this report because we want to avoid any extra-legal efforts,” he said.

He also hopes that Feri Amsari stops spreading hoaxes and creating unrest in society.