Between 8 April and 17 April 2026, two academics and one analyst—who is also a legal practitioner—have been reported to the police for criticizing government policies. On 8 April, a report for alleged treason under Article 246 of the Criminal Code was filed against Saiful Mujani of Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC). The complaint was filed by Robina Akbar on behalf of Aliansi Masyarakat Jakarta Timur and related to critical statements Mujani made during a halal bihalal event. In a similar case, on 13 April, Ubedillah Badrun, a lecturer at Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) was reported for defamation or hate speech based on comments he made in a podcast describing he Prabowo–Gibran administration as a “burden on the nation” (beban bangsa). Legal practitioner Feri Amsari of Universitas Andalas was reported to the police twice, on 16 and 17 April 2026. The complaints, filed by an individual and LBH Tani Nusantara, concerned his criticism of the government’s food self-sufficiency (swasembada pangan) program, accused of spreading hoaxes, incitement, or defamation under Articles 246 and 264 of the Criminal Code.
Similar events have taken place in Indonesia, targeting activists, academics, and ordinary citizens who criticize government policies. This has been particularly noticeable after the enactment of the new Criminal Code (KUHP) and the new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), which have been criticised for easing the criminalisation of citizens who criticise the government. The incidents have been linked to President Prabowo’s speech stating that observers would be “disciplined” or “put in order” and are expected to further add to the chilling effect on freedom of expression.