Prabowo Says Pig's Head Terror Meant to Sow Discord, Criticizes Hasan Nasbi's Response

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto described the act of sending a pig’s head and rat carcasses to Tempo’s editorial office as an attempt to sow discord and provoke division.

He made the statement during an interview with seven senior journalists and media editors at his residence in Hambalang, Sentul, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

Prabowo admitted he was shocked by the incident and questioned the motives behind the act of intimidation. He suggested that the perpetrator deliberately carried out the terror to stir unrest, though he did not clarify whom the provocation was aimed at.

"I believe that those who did it wanted to sow discord, to create an unfavorable atmosphere," said Prabowo, as quoted from Narasi TV's YouTube, Monday, April 7, 2025.

Najwa Shihab allowed Tempo to quote Prabowo's statement from the Narasi TV channel.

Prabowo also responded to the comment made by Head of the Presidential Communication Office, Hasan Nasbi, who downplayed the pig's head terror incident by saying, "Just cook the pig's head," when questioned by a journalist.

Commenting on the remark, Prabowo noted that some of his subordinates had not been cautious in their public statements.

"In my opinion, that was a careless, mistaken statement; I think he regrets it," said the Chairman of the Gerindra Party, referring to Hasan Nasbi.

Prabowo noted that some of his subordinates were still adjusting to their roles, which led to missteps in communication. He stated that many of them came from various backgrounds and had not quickly adapted to public communication.

"Perhaps because they are new in a government position that is always under scrutiny. So sometimes people from the planning or surveying world, or academics, who appear in public, are not quick to adapt, in my opinion," said Prabowo.

Hasan Nasbi's statement regarding the pig's head terror to Francisca Christy Rosana, also known as Cica, a political desk journalist and one of the hosts of the Bocor Alus Politik podcast, received criticism from the public.

In mid-March, Tempo experienced a series of terror. The terror included the delivery of a package containing a pig's head without ears, a package containing six dead rats with their heads cut off, and doxxing against Cica as well as hacking of her mother's WhatsApp account.

Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.

Editor’s Choice: Media Groups Sound Alarm After Indonesian Magazine Tempo Is Sent Mutilated Animal Carcasses

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