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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Minangkabau Group Reports Social Media Activist Abu Janda for Hate Speech

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The Minangkabau Family Association (IKM) has reported social media activist Permadi Arya, known as Abu Janda, to the police for alleged hate speech.
  • IKM accuses Abu Janda of making statements about intolerance in West Sumatra, which they claim have caused unrest and specifically targeted the Minangkabau people.
  • Abu Janda denies insulting the people of West Sumatra, stating that his words can be misinterpreted by those already holding negative views towards him.

The Central Leadership Council of the Minangkabau Family Association (IKM) has filed a report against social media activist Permadi Arya, widely known as Abu Janda, with the National Police's Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim Polri). The complaint alleges that Abu Janda engaged in hate speech targeting the Minangkabau ethnic group.

This has caused unrest because there were words that specifically attacked or contained hate speech against the people of West Sumatra.

— Defrizal DjamarisExplaining the reason for the complaint against Abu Janda.

According to Defrizal Djamaris, Deputy Head of Law for DPP IKM, Abu Janda allegedly made statements regarding intolerance in West Sumatra. "This has caused unrest because there were words that specifically attacked or contained hate speech against the people of West Sumatra," Djamaris stated at the Bareskrim Polri building.

Djamaris indicated that the controversial statements circulated on social media, with the speech likely delivered in the United States. In a video that has gained traction online, Permadi Arya discussed the phenomenon of "Kristenphobia" in Indonesia, identifying West Java and West Sumatra as regions with intolerant populations. He was quoted as saying, "One in West Java, another in West Sumatra. I also find it strange why there are so many barbarians among the barbarians."

One in West Java, another in West Sumatra. I also find it strange why there are so many barbarians among the barbarians.

— Permadi AryaQuoted from a video circulating on social media regarding intolerance.

The IKM has formally reported Permadi under Article 242 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP). Bareskrim has acknowledged the report, issuing a receipt numbered STTL/230/5/2026. However, Permadi Arya has refuted the accusations, asserting, "I did not insult the people of West Sumatra. But if the basis is already hatred towards Abu Janda, then it's difficult. Even if I don't insult, it can be considered an insult."

I did not insult the people of West Sumatra. But if the basis is already hatred towards Abu Janda, then it's difficult. Even if I don't insult, it can be considered an insult.

— Permadi AryaResponding to the accusations of hate speech.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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