Jakarta – Academics are urging the public not to be influenced by provocations calling for the overthrow of the government, which they consider contrary to the principles of constitutional democracy in Indonesia.
Lili Romli, Senior Political Researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), emphasized that the idea of ousting President Prabowo Subianto mid-term is inappropriate in Indonesia’s presidential system.
“I personally believe that attempts to overthrow the government mid-term are not a good idea. In Indonesia’s presidential system, the term of office is fixed at five years and must continue for that period,” said Lili.
She emphasized that the constitution stipulates clear mechanisms regarding the presidential term and the impeachment process. The president can only be removed if proven to have committed a serious legal violation and through formal processes involving the House of Representatives (DPR), the Constitutional Court, and the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).
“Therefore, it is not easy, both substantively and procedurally, especially since President Prabowo has the support of a majority of parties in the DPR,” said Lili.
According to Lili, dissatisfaction with the government’s performance should be channeled through legitimate democratic mechanisms, namely general elections as a means of public evaluation.
“If they don’t agree and are dissatisfied, let the elections be the punishment,” she said.
A similar view was expressed by Citra Institute Founder Yusak Farchan, who believes that calls to overthrow the government do not reflect the attitude of academics who uphold objectivity and intellectual ethics.
“As a political scientist and intellectual, it would be more elegant if Prof. Saiful delivered his criticism using valid data,” Yusak said.
He believes that criticism should be delivered constructively and based on data, rather than through calls that have the potential to trigger political instability.
“If you directly call for the overthrow of the legitimate government, that’s just like partisanship,” he said.
Yusak also deplored criticism that lacks solutions, even though a data-based approach is a key characteristic of intellectuals.
“Because I think data-based criticism is a characteristic that is always inherent in intellectual groups,” he added.
Previously, a video of Saiful Mujani’s lecture circulated on social media, containing a call for consolidation to oust President Prabowo. This statement sparked controversy because it was perceived as ignoring constitutional mechanisms within the Indonesian state system.
In response, academics emphasized the importance of maintaining maturity in democracy by adhering to constitutional rules and prioritizing constructive and responsible criticism in the public sphere.
