Indonesian activist Islah Bahrawi questioned by police in sedition probe

Islah Bahrawi, Executive Director of the Indonesian Moderate Network, appeared before investigators at the Metro Jaya Regional Police on June 10, 2026. He was questioned as a witness in an investigation into alleged sedition against the authorities.

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The report was filed by several parties, we don't know who.

Bahrawi's lawyer, Tegar Putuhena, explained that the report against his client stemmed from statements made during a recent gathering of observers in Utan Kayu. "The report was filed by several parties, we don't know who," Tegar told reporters on Wednesday.

Putuhena argued that Bahrawi's statements did not meet the elements of sedition as defined by Article 246 of the Criminal Code. "It seems unlikely that this article would be forced," he said, adding that they respected the legal process. Bahrawi himself stated that his remarks were intended as criticism, not as an incitement to violence. "So there was no intention to incite anything," he said.

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It seems unlikely that this article would be forced.

This case follows a similar investigation into Saiful Mujani, founder of Saiful Mujani Research Center and Consulting. Mujani was also summoned for comments made at the same event, where he discussed ways to save Indonesia, suggesting that removing Prabowo from government could be a solution. Mujani's lawyer, Todung Mulya Lubis, urged the police to drop the case, asserting that his client's statements fell within the bounds of freedom of expression and did not constitute sedition or treason.

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So there was no intention to incite anything.