Saiful Mujani Questioned by Polda Metro Jaya Regarding Statements on Ousting Prabowo

Political observer Saiful Mujani has been subjected to 37 questions by investigators from the State Security Sub-directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) following reports filed against him for alleged incitement. Saiful revealed that the interrogation centred on his statements, which were narrated as an invitation to overthrow the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabow Subianto.

“There were 37 questions, but they were quite rapid. The substantive questions concerned my remarks in Utan Kayu that circulated on social media, specifically: ‘Can we consolidate ourselves to overthrow Prabowo?’ I was asked to explain that,” Saiful told journalists at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Headquarters, South Jakarta, on Thursday.

Saiful stated that the questions pertained to his remarks during a ‘Halalbihalal’ event for observers in Utan Kayu, East Jakarta. In response to the police, he explained that he had noted such a consolidation would be difficult. “I answered, ‘Consolidating ourselves into a major force to overthrow Prabowo is difficult, and that is why I asked the public; it is up to the public to answer.’ I suggested peaceful mass action as an alternative because other paths are closed,” said the UIN Jakarta academic.

Saiful noted that his questions during the event were a response to statements made by Feri Amsari, who had expressed hope for impeachment. Saiful argued that impeachment is unlikely given that almost all political forces in the House of Representatives (DPR) are aligned with Prabowo.

Previously, Polda Metro Jaya received two reports against Saiful Mujani regarding alleged incitement. One report was filed by Robina Akbar from the East Jakarta Community Alliance. Regarding the matter, the Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Budi Hermanto, urged the public not to politicise the case. “We invite everyone to be wise and not to turn these two reports from citizens into issues of criminalisation, SARA (ethnic, religious, racial, and inter-group), or politics,” Budi told reporters.