Politics · Indonesia · 6 hrs ago
Viral video does not show Mahfud MD becoming Indonesia’s attorney general
A viral video falsely claims Mahfud MD was appointed Indonesia’s attorney general in October 2026.
The footage shows Mahfud signing a document in front of President Prabowo Subianto, but it does not show a new appointment.
The video records Mahfud’s appointment to a police reform committee on 7 November 2025.
He was one of 10 committee members appointed at that ceremony.
ST Burhanuddin remains the attorney general, a post he has held since October 2024.
Fact-checkers traced the footage to recordings of the 2025 ceremony and said it had been shared with a misleading caption.
The claim spread widely on social media, but the fact-checks found no new appointment.
Fact-checkers said a viral video does not show Mahfud MD being appointed Indonesia’s attorney general.
The footage shows President Prabowo Subianto appointing Mahfud to the Police Reform Acceleration Committee on November 7, 2025.
The video was shared on TikTok in September 2026 with a caption claiming Mahfud had become attorney general.
As of October 12, the TikTok post had more than 370,000 views, according to TurnBackHoax.
ST Burhanuddin remained attorney general, a position he has held since October 21, 2024.
- Who
- Mahfud MD, President Prabowo Subianto and attorney general ST Burhanuddin.
- What
- A viral video was falsely presented as showing Mahfud being appointed attorney general. It actually shows his appointment to the Police Reform Acceleration Committee.
- When
- The original appointment took place on November 7, 2025. The video was posted on TikTok on September 10, 2026.
- Where
- The claim circulated on TikTok and Facebook. The original event was an appointment ceremony; its location is not stated.
- Why
- The video was recirculated with a caption that changed the context of the footage. The sources do not state who made the claim or why.
Viral posts
Fact-checkers
What the video shows
Viral posts
The posts claimed Mahfud was appointed attorney general.
Fact-checkers
The video shows Mahfud being appointed to the Police Reform Acceleration Committee.
Who held the post
Viral posts
The posts implied Mahfud had become attorney general.
Fact-checkers
Fact-checkers said ST Burhanuddin still held the position.
ST Burhanuddin was appointed attorney general.
Prabowo appointed Mahfud to the Police Reform Acceleration Committee.
The TikTok account “Jacky” posted the video with a caption claiming Mahfud had been appointed attorney general.
Kompas.com published a fact-check saying the claim was false.
TurnBackHoax published its fact-check and reported the TikTok post had more than 370,000 views.
- Actual appointment
- Mahfud was appointed to the Police Reform Acceleration Committee
- Appointment date
- November 7, 2025
- Attorney general
- ST Burhanuddin
- Burhanuddin’s appointment
- October 21, 2024
- TikTok post views
- More than 370,000 as of October 12, 2026
What people are saying
President Prabowo appoints Mahfud MD as attorney general
Sources
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