Human Rights Minister Demands Apology from Amien Rais Over Personal Attack

JAKARTA – Indonesian Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has formally called on Amien Rais, the influential Chairman of the Ummat Party, to issue a public apology to Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya, a member of the Presidential Security Unit. The demand stems from a video statement made by Rais, which has since been removed from his YouTube channel, alleging that Teddy's relationship with President Prabowo Subianto had crossed professional boundaries. Minister Pigai asserted that such statements constitute a direct attack on an individual's personal honor and dignity.

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As the Human Rights Minister, I ask Amien Rais to apologize or at the very least retract his statement.

In a press conference held at his office on Monday, May 4, 2026, Pigai stated, "As the Human Rights Minister, I ask Amien Rais to apologize or at the very least retract his statement." He emphasized that while criticism of performance or policy is acceptable, direct personal attacks are undignified and fall outside the bounds of protected free speech. Pigai invoked the principles of the Siracusa Principles, which stipulate that human rights, including freedom of expression, are not absolute and can be limited to prevent defamation, protect dignity, and maintain national stability.

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If you want to criticize, just criticize performance, it's okay. Criticize policy, no problem.

Echoing Pigai's concerns, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid also denounced Rais's video, labeling its content as slanderous, a hoax, and hate speech. Hafid argued that the narrative constructed in the video aimed to demean the nation's leadership, lacked factual basis, and served as a provocation intended to create public unrest. She warned that such content could be divisive and undermine national unity, stressing that the digital space should be used for debating ideas, not for producing hateful content that attacks human dignity.

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Verbal violence also contains elements of mental and spiritual attacks, as well as threats to individual dignity and morality.

Both ministers underscored the legal ramifications of spreading such content. Hafid noted that her ministry would take appropriate legal action against those involved in creating and distributing the video. She reminded the public that disseminating such material knowingly constitutes a violation of the law, citing relevant regulations that prohibit defamation and the incitement of hatred. This incident highlights the ongoing tension in Indonesia between freedom of expression and the need to maintain social harmony and respect for individuals, particularly those in public service.

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The narrative built is an attempt to demean the dignity of the country's top leadership, lacks factual basis, and is part of an effort to provoke public unrest.