Saiful Mujani Denies Committing Treason Against Prabowo

Founder of Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting, Saiful Mujani, has denied committing treason against President Prabowo Subianto as a result of his statement at a halal bihalal event with several observers on 31 March. He stated that his remarks were a form of political stance and participation expressed in front of many people.

“The politics in that event mainly related to President Prabowo’s performance,” he said in his statement on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.

The statement by Saiful Mujani that sparked discussion concerned ways to save Indonesia. In the event titled “Before Observers Are Regulated,” Saiful opined that toppling Prabowo from the government seat could save Indonesia.

Saiful said his statement should be understood as a peaceful action. He stated that political participation is often aimed at the public interest in various forms.

He gave examples, such as when the public participates in general elections, joins demonstrations, goes on strike, or even follows campaigns. “A peaceful action to bring down the president is political participation. That is democracy,” Saiful said.

He stated that political stance is a right of every citizen and is guaranteed by the constitution. Because, he said, the political actions taken fall under the right to freedom of speech possessed by citizens.

“The stance I expressed verbally is a manifestation of freedom of expression or opinion,” he said.

Saiful questioned if his political stance expressed verbally in public is categorised as treason, then the constitution actually guarantees treason. However, he said the basic law should not guarantee such treason.

“Therefore, it is a political stance, not treason which is legally prohibited,” he said.

Moreover, Saiful stated that political stance is one level below political participation. This, he said, is the core of implementing democracy itself. “There is no democracy without political participation,” said Saiful.

Saiful Mujani’s statement was highlighted by several parties, one of which is Hasan Nasbi. The former Head of the Presidential Office assessed that the statement has the potential to create provocation.

According to him, the statement is not appropriate to be conveyed amid the current global conditions. Hasan assessed there is a tendency to topple a legitimate government without going through democratic processes.

“They claim to be democracy fighters, but they never want to understand the essence of democracy,” said Hasan in his statement, citing Antara on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.

Hasan opined that provocative actions to impeach a legitimate government without constitutional processes constitute a violation of democracy. According to him, what Saiful Mujani did by inviting the public to topple Prabowo is based on personal feelings.

“You want to invite the public to topple the president because your feelings are not fulfilled, because your desires are not achieved, that is something unacceptable,” said Hasan.

In a separate opportunity, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said he had not yet learned what Saiful Mujani said. “I have a lot of work. I haven’t seen what he said,” Teddy remarked at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.

According to Teddy, Prabowo also likely has not learned of the criticism launched by Saiful. “Especially Father President. The President is handling big matters, currently focused on more strategic things,” said Teddy.