While many civil society organizations are promoting inclusivity, human rights, and gender equality, a massive movement called “Anti Boti” has emerged in Indonesia. Initiated by the influencer @advokatmohammad in April 2026, the movement continues to generate a large following and targets individuals of diverse gender identities (LGBTQIA+). Comments made by followed include incitements to violence, such as “if you see a boti [derogatory term for gay person], beat them up on the spot”. The rise of this movement coincides with a proposal by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to criminalize same-sex relations and those ‘promoting’ LGBTQIA+. Prior to this, in October 2025, President Prabowo Subianto ratified Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 111 of 2025 concerning the General Policy on National Defense 2025–2029. Within the regulation, LGBTQIA+ is classified as a non-military threat to the state.
The classification through Perpres 111/2025 as well as the MUI’s proposal and the “anti boti” movement have led to an increase in anti-LGBTQIA+ discourses and harassment of LGBTQIA+ individuals and activists. Human rights organisations have already noted a surge in attacks against LGBTQIA+ activists, such as the harassment of students during Pride celebrations. Apart from individual human rights violations, these campaigns have affected social cohesion and created an environment of pervasive fear in public discourses. Civil society further assesses the movement and MUI’s proposal as carrying the potential to lead to the criminalization of same-sex relations, the imposition of punishment and sanctions on individuals based on their gender identify and sexual orientation, as well as to further violence.