Prominent Indonesian comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono recently underwent an interrogation by authorities regarding serious allegations of insulting ethnicity, religion, race, and intergroup relations (SARA). These accusations are specifically linked to material he presented about Torajan customs.
The questioning session was conducted at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri) on Monday, February 2. Pragiwaksono attended the interrogation accompanied by his legal counsel, Haris Azhar, to address the ongoing investigation.
During the extensive questioning, Pandji was presented with 48 questions from police investigators. These inquiries predominantly revolved around content from a stand-up comedy performance video he delivered back in 2013. “Yes, it was all about the material in the video. The material from my stand-up video,” Pandji affirmed, acknowledging the central focus of the interrogation.
Pragiwaksono also disclosed during the session that he had, in fact, already issued a public apology for the controversial material. “An apology has actually been made and is available for public viewing. But perhaps this is just a continuation of the report. So, I’m just following the process,” he remarked, indicating his acceptance of the ongoing legal proceedings.
Addressing the recurrent controversies his work often sparks, Pandji expressed his disinclination to dwell on them. He asserted that the current issues are simply a part of the consequences inherent in his profession. “Ultimately, this is how it is, and I accept it. It’s probably natural. Anyone is entitled to their opinion regarding my work,” he stated firmly.
Meanwhile, his lawyer, Haris Azhar, clarified that Pandji had been summoned twice by the authorities. Pragiwaksono was unable to attend the initial summons as he was not in Indonesia at the time. Haris Azhar confirmed that the case is currently in the preliminary investigation stage, emphasizing that the recent questioning was the first formal interrogation his client underwent.
The roots of this significant controversy trace back to a viral clip of Pandji’s stand-up routine from 2013. In that particular performance, Pandji made specific remarks regarding the traditional Torajan funeral ceremony known as Rambu Solo’. He controversially suggested that many Torajan individuals face financial hardship or impoverishment after holding the exceedingly expensive Rambu Solo’ funeral feasts, which are characteristic of Torajan culture.
Furthermore, Pandji’s routine included a description of deceased bodies being kept at home in a manner he deemed inappropriate, creating what he described as a “horror” impression for guests. This 1-minute, 44-second video segment rapidly disseminated across various social media platforms, igniting a wave of strong indignation and anger among the Torajan community. Consequently, the Toraja Youth Alliance officially filed a report against Pandji Pragiwaksono with Bareskrim Polri, citing alleged insult and defamation.
Summary
Prominent Indonesian comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono was recently interrogated by authorities regarding allegations of insulting ethnicity, religion, race, and intergroup relations (SARA). The questioning, held at Bareskrim Polri, focused on material from a 2013 stand-up comedy video concerning Torajan customs. His remarks about the expensive Rambu Solo’ funeral ceremony and the practice of keeping deceased bodies at home sparked strong indignation among the Torajan community.
Pandji addressed 48 questions, affirming the interrogation centered on his viral 2013 performance. He stated that he had already issued a public apology for the controversial content. His lawyer, Haris Azhar, clarified that the case is in its preliminary investigation stage following a report filed by the Toraja Youth Alliance.