Saiful Mujani: Police Questioning Common, Better Than Being 'Andrie Yunus-ed'

Political analyst Saiful Mujani has stated he is ready to provide information regarding a complaint filed against him over alleged incitement. Accompanied by his legal counsel from the Democracy Defence Team, including Todung Mulya Lubis, Saiful said his attendance to fulfil the summons was a legal obligation, noting that it is normal for a civilian to deal with the police. He then alluded to the acid attack case involving KontraS activist Andrie Yunus, which is suspected to have been an attempt to silence criticism.

‘If there is a problem, a civilian dealing with the police is normal, it is ordinary, rather than me being Andrie Yunus-ed. This is more civilised, Bang Todung. And the Andrie Yunus case should be the last in this country,’ Saiful said at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters on Thursday (4/6). Nevertheless, Saiful admitted he is worried that the legal process he is currently facing could potentially silence critical voices. ‘What I am very afraid of and very worried about is if critical voices are criminalised again. That does not concern myself, but concerns our community as academics, public intellectuals, activists and others who are committed to our national values,’ he said.

Saiful expressed hope that the legal process could serve as a lesson for all parties on how to respond to criticism. ‘Today we will undergo it; it will test us as children of the nation, as a nation, whether we still respect the values that have been fought for, especially since the reform era: civil liberties, freedom of speech, freedom of association and democracy in general,’ he stated. Meanwhile, Saiful’s lawyer, Todung Mulya Lubis, questioned the Article 246 of the Criminal Code concerning incitement that has been levelled against his client. ‘I do not know who was incited, who feels incited, and what has been done by the incited party. To me, this is absurd; an absurd article being used by the police. However, we respect the summons from the police,’ he said.

Todung further hoped that after Saiful’s examination, the complaint could be immediately closed. He argued there are no legal grounds to follow up on the report. ‘I certainly hope cases like this do not happen, and after the examination the case is closed. Because there is no legal reason whatsoever to follow up on this report. If Mr Saiful conveys his opinion, however harsh or critical, that is a human right protected by the 1945 Constitution and the Human Rights Law. We have also ratified the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in Indonesia, which guarantees that right in the context of both international and national law,’ he continued. Previously, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police received two complaints against Saiful Mujani regarding alleged incitement. One complaint was lodged by Robina Akbar from the East Jakarta Community Alliance, registered under number LP/B/2428/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA dated 8 April 2026.