TNI Press Chief Responds to Allegations of Stalking Against Islah Bahrawi
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Headquarters has responded to the stalking of Islah Bahrawi, the Executive Director of the Indonesian Moderate Network, whose perpetrators are suspected to be from the military. The Chief of the TNI Headquarters Press Centre, Brigadier General Muhammad Nas, stated that his institution will follow up on these allegations. He invited the victim, who has been subjected to terror, to provide data regarding the identification of the alleged stalking by TNI soldiers. “If there is indeed data, please inform us,” Nas said in a statement on Saturday, 6 June 2026.
Previously, Islah stated that he has been aware of being stalked and terrorised by unknown individuals, suspected to be TNI soldiers, for the past two weeks. He noted that his family members living at his residence were also being watched by a group believed to originate from a military unit. An activist focusing on deradicalisation, terrorism, and religious moderation, Islah discovered the surveillance after neighbours informed him that many strangers were photographing and enquiring about his and his family’s activities. Islah has collected several pieces of evidence, including direction finder devices and software used by the stalkers. Furthermore, Islah and local residents managed to obtain clear images of one of the stalkers from CCTV footage.
Islah stated that there is further evidence pointing towards the identity of the stalkers, gathered through networks within various institutions. “We have used various methods through our networks and friendships. We have obtained several images. Those six individuals were identified as members of the TNI,” Islah said at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation office in Jakarta on Friday, 5 June 2026. The stalking has occurred around his home, where unknown individuals have been spotted active near his residence for over two weeks. Islah noted that people were photographing his house, his family members, and visitors to his home. The Nahdlatul Ulama figure also recorded a vehicle with licence plate A-1299-NB that has been tailing him and frequently parking within a 100-metre radius of his house.
Islah Bahrawi is one of several activists reported to the police on allegations of incitement to overthrow Prabowo during a post-Eid al-Fitr 2026 discussion. Islah, along with Saiful Muzani and Ubedilah Badrun, was reported to the Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police by members of the East Jakarta Community Alliance on 8 April 2026. Islah suspects the report is related to the anti-remilitarisation material he presented. “I believe those attempting to map me, including those intimidating me, must be from the TNI side. I have ultimately reached the major conclusion that this is all an operation by the army,” he said.