Renowned comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono recently made a significant visit to the offices of the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) to engage in tabayyun, a process of clarification and verification. This visit was prompted by the ongoing controversy surrounding his acclaimed solo stand-up performance titled ‘Mens Rea‘, which has unfortunately led to reports filed with the police.
Pandji Pragiwaksono’s approach to seeking understanding was remarkably direct. Not content with mere discussion, he proactively invited MUI representatives to watch actual clips of his comedy material, providing an unfiltered glimpse into his work. Accompanied by his legal counsel, Haris Azhar, Pandji was personally received by Prof. Kiai Haji Asrorun Ni’am, the esteemed Chairman of MUI’s Fatwa Department. Pandji later described the meeting as surprisingly fluid and filled with laughter, fostering an environment conducive to open dialogue.
During the meeting, Pandji underscored the critical importance of artists directly explaining their creations, particularly when faced with public scrutiny, to prevent any misinterpretation of their intent. “The core of our meeting was a dialogue where we watched parts of the show together, followed by a discussion. I was reminded that as an artist, there is always room for continuous improvement,” Pandji stated at the MUI Office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday. He firmly believes that an artist’s personal explanation is vital in avoiding public misunderstanding and potential uproar over their work.
Adding to this, Pandji’s lawyer, Haris Azhar, clarified that their primary objective for visiting the MUI was rooted in silaturahmi (strengthening ties and friendship) and tabayyun, aiming to provide a comprehensive explanation of the recent developments. Haris particularly highlighted the importance of delving into the ‘Mens Rea‘ aspect—the notion of malicious intent that has been alleged against Pandji—from an informed religious scholarly perspective. He expressed hope that the MUI, with its extensive academic and spiritual resources, would respond to the situation with wisdom and understanding, emphasizing the relaxed and insightful nature of their conversation about the show’s purpose, background, and creative process.
Despite the pleasant and open exchange, Pandji acknowledged that he received constructive feedback and advice from the MUI. He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to integrating these valuable insights into his future artistic endeavors. “I was reminded that as an artist, there is always scope to enhance one’s craft. And I am dedicated to this, because I aspire to continue creating art that entertains as many people as possible, meaning my work must also be designed with due consideration for the sensitivities of a broad audience,” Pandji articulated, showcasing his profound dedication to responsible artistry.
Ultimately, Pandji Pragiwaksono views this proactive engagement with the MUI as irrefutable proof of his steadfast commitment to fostering open dialogue and seeking common ground, preferring constructive interaction over the escalation of controversies into prolonged and divisive conflicts.
Summary
Comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono recently visited the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) for a tabayyun (clarification) regarding controversy surrounding his ‘Mens Rea’ stand-up show. Accompanied by his lawyer, Haris Azhar, Pandji directly presented clips of his material to MUI representatives, including Prof. Kiai Haji Asrorun Ni’am. This proactive engagement aimed to prevent misinterpretation and address police reports filed against his work, fostering an environment of open dialogue.
During the meeting, Pandji emphasized artists’ crucial role in explaining their creations to avoid public misunderstanding and committed to integrating constructive feedback from the MUI. His lawyer highlighted the visit’s goal of strengthening ties and clarifying the ‘Mens Rea’ aspect from a religious perspective. Pandji views this engagement as proof of his dedication to open dialogue and creating art that entertains broadly while considering audience sensitivities.