Amien Rais, the chair of the Ummat Party’s Syuro Assembly, has defended his remarks in a viral video concerning the relationship between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya. Speaking at the Ummat Party’s National Assembly in Yogyakarta on Saturday, May 2, 2026, the former Chair of the House of Representatives framed his comments as an exercise of constitutional freedom of expression.
Allegations of Excessive Influence
Rais claimed that the relationship between President Prabowo and Lieutenant Colonel Teddy exceeds professional boundaries. He attributed this to what he described as excessive power bestowed upon the Cabinet Secretary by the President.
According to Rais, this influence manifests in Teddy’s ability to determine which ministers and generals are permitted to meet with the President. He asserted that Teddy acts as if he is the most influential figure, feeling more crucial than the actual secretary.
To support these claims, Rais recounted a conversation with a coordinating minister who expressed difficulty in securing meetings with Prabowo. The minister reportedly told Rais that there were times he could not meet the President due to the fact that Teddy stated there was no time or that it had not been scheduled, despite the minister knowing Prabowo was at the palace and needing only 5-10 minutes to report duties.
Government Condemnation and Legal Tension
The video, which has been removed from Rais’s private YouTube account, drew sharp criticism from the Minister of Communication and Digital Informatics, Meutya Hafid. In a written statement on Friday, May 1, 2026, Hafid described the content as containing defamatory narratives and hate speech.
Hafid stated that the narratives were an attempt to degrade the dignity of the country’s highest leaders, lacked a factual basis, and were intended to provoke public disturbances. She emphasized that digital democracy should be a platform for exchanging ideas rather than producing hatred that attacks human dignity.
Rais remained nonchalant regarding threats of legal action from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Informatics. He claimed that legal experts told him the Ministry has no right to take legal action, suggesting that only Secretary Teddy himself would have the right to pursue a court case.
Rais added that if the matter reached court, he would request statements from specialist doctors to ascertain if Teddy is truly gay.
Potential Outcomes
Rais suggested that to avoid negative social stigma, President Prabowo could provide Teddy with new responsibilities or a position elsewhere. He recommended that Teddy should not be punished or dismissed, but simply replaced with someone who would not be a burden to the government.
Depending on the government’s response, this situation may lead to formal legal proceedings if Secretary Teddy chooses to pursue a case, or it could result in a personnel reshuffle if the administration seeks to mitigate the public controversy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Minister of Communication and Digital Informatics condemn the video?
Minister Meutya Hafid stated the video contained defamatory narratives and hate speech intended to degrade the dignity of the country’s highest leaders and provoke public disturbances.
What specific behavior did Amien Rais describe as a “blunder” for Prabowo’s leadership?
Rais pointed to the behavior of Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, specifically his role in determining which guests, ministers, and generals can meet with the President.
What is Amien Rais’s proposed solution regarding Lieutenant Colonel Teddy?
Rais recommended that Teddy should not be punished or dismissed, but instead be given a different job or new responsibilities so he does not constantly cling to the President.
How should a democratic society balance the right to criticize government officials with the necessitate to protect the dignity of state leadership?
