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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Lawyer: Saiful Mujani Cannot Be Charged with Incitement

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Indonesian cleric Saiful Mujani was summoned by police on June 4, 2026, for alleged incitement against the authorities.
  • His lawyer, Todung Mulya Lubis, argued that Mujani's statements did not contain elements of incitement and urged police to drop the case.
  • Mujani expressed concern that continued reporting on critics of the government could undermine democracy in Indonesia.

Indonesian cleric and founder of Saiful Mujani Research Center and Consulting, Saiful Mujani, appeared before the Jakarta Metropolitan Police on June 4, 2026, accompanied by his lawyer, Todung Mulya Lubis, and several civil society figures. Lubis questioned the basis of the incitement charges against his client, asserting that Mujani's statements lacked any such elements and urging the police to halt the legal proceedings.

This is absurd, an absurd article used by the police, but we respect the summons from the police.

— Todung Mulya LubisBefore the examination at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police.

Muhammad Isnur, chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), also present to support Mujani, viewed the report against the cleric as an attempt to silence criticism. Isnur stated that Mujani's remarks fell under freedom of expression and that the police should cease the case to align with the spirit of the new Criminal Procedure Code. "If we want to follow the spirit of the new Criminal Code, the new Criminal Procedure Code, the police should immediately stop this case," Isnur said.

Mujani indicated his willingness to cooperate with investigators, calling interactions with police a normal experience for civil society members. However, he voiced apprehension about the ongoing trend of reporting on government critics, stating, "This is not about Saiful, but it is about our community in general who are fighting for the establishment of our democracy, which is now increasingly faltering."

If we want to follow the spirit of the new Criminal Code, the new Criminal Procedure Code, the police should immediately stop this case.

— Muhammad IsnurCommenting on the case against Saiful Mujani.

The report against Mujani was filed by Robina Akbar, representing the East Jakarta Community Alliance, accusing him of incitement against the ruler. Police confirmed the report, filed on April 8, 2026, and registered under number LP/B/2428/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA. The charge cited Article 246 of the Criminal Code.

This is not about Saiful, but it is about our community in general who are fighting for the establishment of our democracy, which is now increasingly faltering.

— Saiful MujaniExpressing concern about the implications of the case.

Mujani, while acknowledging the legitimacy of the report, stressed that opinions should be countered with opinions, not legal action, unless physical harm or infringement of rights occurs. "Just refute it, fight criticism with criticism. But it's okay if you want to show more clearly that this country is becoming more fascist," Mujani stated.

Just refute it, fight criticism with criticism. But it's okay if you want to show more clearly that this country is becoming more fascist.

— Saiful MujaniResponding to the report filed against him.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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