Comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono has expressed his hope that the case against him, involving allegations of SARA-related hate speech against the Toraja community, can be resolved through restorative justice. This plea comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings that have garnered significant public attention.
Although the concept of restorative justice was not directly discussed by investigators during his examination on Monday, March 8th, Pandji believes that the previous customary trial he underwent in Toraja already constitutes a significant part of the resolution process. He views this traditional approach as a foundational step towards mending relations.
“Perhaps not directly, but indeed the discussion revolved around the customary trial process, what transpired, and what was agreed upon. My hope is that this will be prioritized, the restorative justice aspect, because reconciliation between myself and the legitimate representatives of the Toraja community has already taken place,” Pandji stated after undergoing questioning by the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri) on Monday, March 8th.
Despite advocating for a restorative approach, Pandji affirmed his commitment to fully cooperate with the ongoing legal process. He expressed confidence that the case would ultimately reach a clear and equitable resolution.
“For me, it’s the same; I trust that all of this will find its clarity. I will simply follow the process,” he remarked, emphasizing his patience and belief in the system.
Pandji also conveyed his profound gratitude for the opportunity to directly engage with the Toraja customary community during the traditional court proceedings. This direct interaction, he noted, was a crucial step in understanding and addressing the communal grievances.
“I believe in the process unfolding. I am grateful that a path was opened for me to meet with the customary community. In my opinion, my experience in Toraja was one of the most memorable, having gone through a fair and democratic trial process. I am also glad to have been involved in a tradition that has spanned thousands of years,” he elaborated, highlighting the cultural significance of the encounter.
The aforementioned customary trial took place on February 10th at Tongkonan Layuk Kaero in Tana Toraja. During these proceedings, Pandji was subjected to traditional sanctions, which included one pig and five chickens. These offerings were presented as a symbolic gesture, aimed at restoring social harmony and mending the communal ties that were reportedly strained by the alleged incident.
Summary
Comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono has expressed his hope that the case against him, involving allegations of SARA-related hate speech against the Toraja community, can be resolved through restorative justice. He believes the customary trial he previously underwent in Toraja served as a significant step towards reconciliation. Pandji stated that reconciliation between him and legitimate representatives of the Toraja community has already taken place through this traditional process.
Despite advocating for a restorative approach, Pandji affirmed his commitment to fully cooperate with the ongoing legal process initiated by Bareskrim Polri. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage directly with the Toraja customary community during the trial on February 10th at Tongkonan Layuk Kaero, Tana Toraja. During these proceedings, Pandji received traditional sanctions, including one pig and five chickens, as a symbolic gesture to restore social harmony.