Feri Amsari, scholar of constitutional law from the Faculty of Law of the University of Andalas was recently reported to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police for alleged incitement and spreading of “fake news”. These complaints seem to be retaliation for his criticism of the government’s claims of self-sufficiency in the area of food production. CCS urges the Indonesian government to disregard these reports and drop any legal proceedings against Amsari.
May 7, 2026
His Excellency, Prabowo Subianto
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta Pusat 10110, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 386 4816 /+62 21 344 2233
Email: ppid@setkab.go.id
X: @prabowo
Dear President Subianto:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We are writing in regard to Feri Amsari, scholar of constitutional law from the Faculty of Law of the University of Andalas. In April 2026, he was reported to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police for alleged incitement and spreading of “fake news”. These complaints seem to be retaliation for his criticism of the government’s claims of self-sufficiency in the area of food production.
The Committee is concerned that these reports to the police are part of a recurring pattern of intimidation tactics and even physical violence being used against activists in the area of civil liberties and human rights, who are only exercising their rights to free speech. Silencing critics making scientific arguments will only hurt Indonesia’s ability to select the best policies for its people.
We write to urge your government to disregard these reports and drop any legal proceedings against Amsari. The government should forcibly condemn any attempts to weaponize the legal system against civil society.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will be closely following developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
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