Saiful Mujani's Explanation Regarding Statement on Prabowo: No Word 'Treason'

Political analyst Saiful Mujani has spoken out regarding a viral video clip of himself discussing the downfall of President Prabowo Subianto. Saiful Mujani stated that there is no word “treason” in his political statement.

The excerpt of Saiful Mujani’s statement on Prabowo’s leadership has gone viral on social media. In the circulating video, the founder of the Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) survey institute speaks about toppling Prabowo.

“I am not an alternative, not through the formal impeachment procedure like that, that won’t work. The only thing that works is this: can we consolidate ourselves to topple Prabowo, that’s it. If advising Prabowo doesn’t work, the only way is to bring him down. That’s saving, not saving Prabowo but saving ourselves and this nation,” said Saiful Mujani in the viral video, as seen on Tuesday (5/4/2026).

Saiful Mujani responded to his viral statement. He described the remarks as addressing President Prabowo’s intention to regulate analysts.

“My statement was at a halal bihalal event themed ‘halal bihalal for analysts who are to be regulated.’ I spoke at the end, in the closing. Before that, several friends had spoken, such as Ubaidillah Badrun, Doctor Sukidi, Romo Setyo, Ferry Amsari, Islah Bahrawi, and others. All of them provided evaluative views on the president’s performance after more than a year in office,” said Saiful Mujani when contacted.

“Specifically, it puts pressure on the threats to activists and analysts following Prabowo’s statement that he will regulate analysts according to the intelligence data he has as president,” he added.

He stated that the statement in the video is a political stance as a citizen, academic, or political science expert. Saiful Mujani said that freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution.

“Including my statement of stance that President Prabowo must be brought down as an answer to the accumulated national political conditions under his leadership,” said Mujani.

He emphasised that there is no word “treason” in the statement delivered. He assessed that those accusing him of treason might be misunderstanding.

“There is no word ‘treason’ in my statement of stance; what there is is an expression of my freedom of speech, opinion, and assembly with the friends present. All of that is our political right as citizens, guaranteed by the Constitution. The word treason was used by a KSP staff member posted on social media. Perhaps a misunderstanding or not understanding citizens’ political rights. Treason is legal language,” he said.

Saiful Mujani then touched on the meaning of the word treason in the new Criminal Code. He said he is quite knowledgeable about what can or cannot be done as a citizen.

“Look at the new Criminal Code, what is meant by treason. Opining, taking a stance, and assembling, including regarding the idea of bringing down the president, is a political right of citizens guaranteed by the Constitution. According to the new Criminal Code, treason is physical actions attacking or injuring the president, separatism, and so on,” said Saiful Mujani.

“What I conveyed is far from the requirements of treason. I am quite knowledgeable about what can and cannot be done in the context of being a citizen,” he continued.

He said what he conveyed is political participation. Saiful Mujani denied that the statement equates to treason.

“Democracy is not just elections; we can bring down Prabowo before the 2029 Elections. This participation is not treason, like how we brought down Suharto in the past. The demonstrations that pressured Suharto and led to his resignation, the demonstrators did not commit treason. They saved the nation and the state,” he said.

Saiful Mujani stated that committing treason is difficult. He said the current president is also not easily impeached because the MPR to the DPR are considered connected to Prabowo’s leadership.

“For us, Prabowo can also be impeached. According to my conviction, the requirements for impeachment are sufficient. But impeachment very much depends on the DPR, MK, and MPR. But objectively, they cannot be expected to do that; they are all part of the president,” he added.