Budiman Sudjatmiko: I Used to be Like "Tom and Jerry" with Prabowo...

Budiman explained that in 2002, he and one of the returned kidnapping victims, Nezar Patria, interviewed Prabowo.

"Why not? Why can’t we talk about it with Mr. Prabowo someday? Even though I asked about it back in 2002. I forgot to relay that (around) 2002 when I was with Nezar during the interview," Budiman shared in the program.

He then revealed Prabowo's answer at that time.

According to Budiman, Prabowo admitted to abducting activists but claimed to have returned all victims to their homes.

As for the other activists whose whereabouts remain unknown, Prabowo said he was unaware of their fate.

"(Prabowo said) 'Those I took have all returned. I returned them all. I don’t know why some have never come home. But those I took I have released all.' That was his confession," he said.

Prabowo Apologizes

On January 27, 2024, Prabowo, still a candidate for president ranked number 2, addressed several '98 activists who joined him in the National Campaign Team (TKN) for Prabowo-Gibran Rakabuming Raka during the event ‘Suara Muda Indonesia Untuk Prabowo-Gibran’ at the JCC, Senayan, Jakarta.

Among them were Budiman Sudjatmiko and Agus Jabo.

Prabowo initially apologized to Agus Jabo for having pursued the Chairman of Prima. According to him, Agus Jabo used to be rebellious.

"Also present were Ahmad Muzani, Agus Jabo from Prima, sorry I used to chase you. Back then. On orders. He was rebellious back then," Prabowo stated.

Then, Prabowo turned to Budiman Sudjatmiko.

Budiman is a '98 activist who was previously detained during the New Order era.

Prabowo also apologized to Budiman for having pursued him.

"And then, brother Budiman Sudjatmiko. This is also sorry, Man, I chased after you too. But I’ve already apologized to you, right?" added Prabowo.