Indonesian Activist Islah Bahrawi Questioned by Police Over Incitement Allegations

Nahdlatul Ulama activist Islah Bahrawi appeared before the Metro Jaya Regional Police on Wednesday for questioning related to an incitement report. Bahrawi, a prominent figure from Madura, is accused of making statements that allegedly encouraged the overthrow of President Prabowo Subianto during a Halalbihalal event for observers in East Jakarta.

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So, I feel that if all of us have to remain silent, then there will be no more voices from the lower classes who have felt afraid to speak, there will be no one capable of representing their thoughts and intentions to provide firm criticism of the government.

Bahrawi's legal team stated that he was summoned in connection with a report filed by unspecified parties, accusing him of violating Article 246 of the Criminal Code concerning incitement. "Today, Cak Islah, Islah Bahrawi, and we, the legal advisory team, came to fulfill the invitation from Polda Metro Jaya regarding the report filed by several parties, we don't know who, but Cak Islah is accused of incitement under Article 246 of the Criminal Code," said Bahrawi's lawyer, Tegar Putuhena.

During the questioning, Bahrawi asserted that his remarks at the event were intended to voice criticisms that many people felt unable to express openly. "So, I feel that if all of us have to remain silent, then there will be no more voices from the lower classes who have felt afraid to speak, there will be no one capable of representing their thoughts and intentions to provide firm criticism of the government," he stated.

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So, this is part of our effort to amplify the voices circulating in society. So, there is no intention to incite anything. We just want to be the voice for those who are afraid.

He further explained his intention was to amplify existing public sentiments, particularly from those who fear speaking out. "So, this is part of our effort to amplify the voices circulating in society. So, there is no intention to incite anything. We just want to be the voice for those who are afraid. I think if my intention is only that. There is no intention to build violence, let alone criminal acts and so on," Bahrawi added. He also framed his critique as an act of patriotism, arguing that criticizing policies detrimental to the public is a sign of love for the country.

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So, the ultimate goal is that we love this country. We really love this country. That's why we never stop criticizing policies that we consider could harm the people.

Meanwhile, M. Isnur, Chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), supported Bahrawi's position, characterizing his statements as legitimate criticism rather than a threat. Isnur urged the police to halt the legal proceedings, calling the report a "modus operandi" to silence dissent. The report was initially filed by Robina Akbar of the East Jakarta Community Alliance on April 8, 2026.

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Police report modus operandi, this is an old tactic to silence, yes. And we ask the investigators at Polda Metro Jaya, ask the Police Chief and Deputy Chief and Director of Criminal Investigation to stop this criminalization, it is appropriate to stop at the investigation and not proceed to prosecution.