Saiful Mujani Ready to Face Legal Process: If He Must Be Detained, Just Detain Him
Professor of Political Science at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Saiful Mujani, claims to be ready to face the legal process regarding the report against him in the alleged treason and incitement case.
Mujani is even prepared to heed police summons to provide statements on the report. Including if he must be detained.
“If the procedure requires detention, then just detain me,” he said after speaking at a discussion addressing his case at UIN Jakarta, Ciputat, South Tangerang, on Thursday (23/4).
Mujani claims not to take issue with the report against him. According to him, the report is a constitutional right of every citizen. He leaves the case entirely to law enforcement authorities.
“Basically, as a good citizen, for example, if the police invite me to come to Bareskrim or to Polda, I will come happily,” he said.
Nevertheless, Mujani admits that to date he has not received a police summons to provide a statement. However, he is ready to come and has even set aside special time if the summons is issued.
“Therefore, I will go through all of it peacefully, even though I see that a change of power is one very important thing because it demands national improvement,” said Mujani.
He explains that the legal process against him now is a consequence that has been anticipated. Mujani emphasises that he is not afraid and will face it as part of the democratic process, firmly rejecting all forms of violence.
“We have experience; it’s getting better as time goes on with demonstrations. In ’65, the casualties were extraordinary, 2 million. In Pak Harto’s time ’98, there were many casualties, but not as many as in ’65, right? So it’s progressing,” said Mujani.
“In Gus Dur’s time, it was much better. Meaning that if we now carry out actions, I am optimistic it will be more controlled and more democratic,” he added.
Returning to the treason issue
Meanwhile, Mujani, who was the main speaker at the discussion at his alma mater, again touched on the treason allegations against him.
Mujani considers the legal case against him as a thesis defence test that will become a special momentum. However, he again revealed the reasons why the President must be removed.
“Why must the President be removed? There are several arguments that I want to highlight here, and hopefully it answers the curiosity of many parties about why this,” said Mujani.
According to him, there are at least six reasons why Prabowo must be removed. First, threatening the constitution by wanting to return to the old constitution through amendments to the 1945 Constitution and reviving GBHN or now using the term PPHN.
“So amendments for GBHN are no problem for us. We want more than that: to return to the original 1945 Constitution. That’s what Pak Prabowo said,” he said.
Second, Prabowo is seen as threatening democracy through his statements wanting to return the Constitution to the 18 August 1945 version.
“If so, at the very least, if wanting to return and fight for the return to the old 1945 Constitution or the 18 August 1945 one, it means democracy will disappear in our life as a nation-state,” he said.
Third, according to Mujani, Prabowo is also seen as having violated his oath as President, one of which is by recognising Israel as a sovereign state. Whereas in Indonesia’s history so far, Indonesia has not recognised Israel as a state.
“No diplomatic relations and so on. Because it has the perception that Israel is a state that colonises the political rights of the Palestinian people. Something like that,” said Mujani.
Fourth, he continued, the President is seen as having violated the constitution by engaging in KKN with the appointment of several close relatives in government institutions, placing military personnel in civilian positions, foreign cooperation without DPR approval, and diverting education budget for the MBG programme.
Fifth, threatening fiscal stability because he is deemed incompetent in managing state finances, which has now resulted in a budget deficit. And sixth, making undignified public statements, one of which is disciplining observers. Including calling the August 2025 demonstration an attempt at treason.
“If chatting behind the scenes with friends and so on is fine. But this is a President speaking to the public openly. For example: observers are unhappy if the government succeeds. That’s not presidential, I say, speaking like that,” he said.