President Prabowo Addresses Tempo incident

President Prabowo Subianto has publicly condemned the recent acts of intimidation directed at the Tempo editorial office, including the delivery of a pig’s head and dead mice. Speaking during an interview wiht senior journalists at his residence in sentul, Bogor, on Sunday, April 6, 2025, Prabowo suggested that these actions were orchestrated by individuals seeking to create conflict and undermine stability.

I think, the one who did that wanted to pit sheep, wanted to create a bad atmosphere. In my opinion,

Prabowo Subianto, as quoted by Narration TV

The President expressed his surprise and disapproval of the tactics used, emphasizing that such acts are designed to incite animosity. This statement, later confirmed by Najwa Shihab, comes amidst growing concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in Indonesia.

Controversy Surrounding Presidential Staff’s Response

The President also addressed the controversial remarks made by the Head of the Presidential Communication Office, Hasan Nasbi, regarding the incident. Nasbi’s initial response, which appeared to downplay the severity of the threats, drew widespread criticism. prabowo acknowledged that Nasbi’s statement was “careless” and “wrong,” suggesting that his staff member regretted the remarks.

Prabowo attributed the misstep to the relative inexperience of some of his staff in handling public communication, noting that many come from backgrounds outside of government and are still adjusting to the demands of public service. This description highlights the challenges faced by new administrations in navigating the complexities of media relations and public perception.

That’s a remark that I think is careless, that’s wrong, I think he regretted,

Prabowo Subianto, Chairman of the Gerindra Party

Background: Escalating Threats Against Tempo

The Tempo editorial office has been the target of a series of disturbing incidents in mid-March, including the delivery of a pig’s head without ears, packages containing dead mice with severed heads, and cyberattacks targeting journalists. These acts of intimidation have raised serious concerns about the safety and security of journalists and the freedom of the press in indonesia.

The initial response from Hasan Nasbi further inflamed the situation. Instead of condemning the attacks, Nasbi appeared to dismiss them, even suggesting that the pig’s head should be cooked. This statement was based on a social media post by Francisca Christy Rosana (Cica), a Tempo journalist, which Nasbi interpreted as a joke. He argued that if the victim did not feel threatened, the incident should not be taken seriously.

I see the Cica social media. He asked to be sent pork. It means he was not threatened. He could joke. Send pork,

Hasan Nasbi, head of the Presidential Communication Office

Nasbi’s remarks sparked outrage and accusations of insensitivity towards the threats faced by journalists. The incident underscores the importance of responsible communication from public officials, particularly in cases involving potential threats to press freedom.

Implications for Press Freedom

The attacks on Tempo and the subsequent controversy surrounding the presidential staff’s response have raised concerns about the state of press freedom in Indonesia. According to Reporters Without Borders’ 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Indonesia ranks 117 out of 180 countries, indicating significant challenges to journalistic independence and safety. these incidents highlight the need for greater protection for journalists and a stronger commitment to upholding freedom of the press.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has also documented numerous cases of harassment and violence against journalists in Indonesia, underscoring the risks faced by those who report on sensitive issues. The Prabowo governance’s response to the Tempo incident will be closely watched as a test of it’s commitment to protecting press freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists.