"It is not necessary to ban him from travelling abroad because he only criticized the performance of the General Elections Commission (KPU) in implementing the 2019 general elections. Why is it considered treason?" Puyouno asked in Jakarta on Saturday.
He said treason was an act that may topple the legitimate government through a political or military movement.
Delegitimizing KPU is not treason; it is the constitutional right of the people to criticize and protest against the implementation of the general elections, which fell short of expectations, he said.
Spokesman for the Prabowo-Sandi pair's national campaign team, Andre Rosiade, said he respected the decision.
"We respect the legal process," he said.
He said the legal action involving the retired major general suggested that anybody who had the guts to criticize the government would face the same fate.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
