Controversy Over JK Sermon Video Now Targets Ade Armando and Abu Janda

A snippet from a sermon by Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President, Jusuf Kalla (JK), at the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Mosque regarding ‘martyrdom’ in discussions of the Poso and Ambon riots has had long-lasting repercussions. Now, the names of Ade Armando and Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda, have been reported to Polda Metro Jaya over allegations of incitement and provocation.

The report was filed by the Maluku Alliance of Professional Advocates (APAM). It was registered under number LP/B/2767/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, dated 20 April 2026.

“We visited Polda Metro Jaya to file a police report regarding the alleged criminal acts of incitement and provocation suspected to have been committed by Mr Ade Armando and Permadi Arya through social media,” said APAM representative and complainant Paman Nurlette to reporters on Tuesday (21/4/2026).

Nurlette stated that the JK sermon snippet uploaded by Ade on the Cokro TV YouTube channel and by Permadi on his Facebook account has caused a stir in the public sphere. He said it could trigger negative perceptions and enmity.

“I am absolutely certain that if the video were posted in its entirety, without being clipped as we see now, the public would not be contaminated, and the public would not be provoked by such a video,” he said.

The complainant also submitted several pieces of evidence, including the full JK sermon video, the clipped video uploaded by Ade on the Cokro TV YouTube channel, and the clipped video uploaded by Permadi on his Facebook account.

Ade and Abu Janda were reported for alleged violations of Article 48 in conjunction with Article 32 of the ITE Law and/or Article 243 of the Criminal Code. Nurlette emphasised that the report he filed does not represent Jusuf Kalla.

“It is not on behalf of Mr Jusuf Kalla; we saw mens rea in the clipped video, which is why we filed the report,” he said.

So, what are the responses from the two parties? Here are their statements.

Ade Armando responded to the report by the Maluku Alliance of Professional Advocates (APAM) against him. He claimed not to understand the substance of the report that caused the uproar.

“I don’t understand the substance of their report. Why am I accused of clipping Mr JK’s sermon, causing a commotion? I didn’t clip or edit and then distribute it. What I did was merely comment on the JK sermon snippet that was circulating online,” said Ade Armando when contacted on Tuesday (21/4/2026).

Ade Armando said he is ready to face the report and follow the ongoing legal process. “Be prepared (to follow the legal process),” he said.

Meanwhile, Abu Janda gave a brief response to the report. According to him, the report is ‘political revenge’.

“Clearly, that report is based on hatred and political revenge,” he said.

Polda Metro Jaya has received the police report against Ade Armando and Abu Janda regarding alleged incitement and provocation stemming from the clipped sermon of Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President, Jusuf Kalla (JK). The police are currently examining the report.

“It is true that there is such a report. Currently, the report is still being examined,” said Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, to reporters on Tuesday (21/4/2026).

Budi Hermanto said the complainant reported the two for alleged violations of Article 48 of Law No. 1 of 2024 on the Second Amendment to Law No. 11 of 2008 in conjunction with Article 32 and/or Article 243 of the Criminal Code.

“The reported evidence includes three sheets of documents, printouts of screen conversations, and a flash drive,” he added.