Denies Insulting West Sumatrans, Abu Janda Gives Unexpected Response Following Police Report

Jakarta – Social media activist Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda, has spoken out after being reported to Bareskrim Polri over alleged hate speech involving ethnicity, religion, race, and group (SARA). He was accused of insulting the people of West Sumatra (Sumbar). In response to the report, Abu Janda denied insulting West Sumatrans as alleged.

‘I do not insult the people of West Sumatra, but if the basis is hatred towards Abu Janda, it’s difficult; even if I don’t insult, it can be perceived as such,’ Abu Janda told reporters on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.

However, Abu Janda declined to comment further, only responding in this manner regarding the report filed against him.

Previously, the Ikatan Keluarga Minangkabau (IKM) officially reported Abu Janda to Bareskrim Polri over alleged SARA hate speech. The report, registered as LP/B/230/V/2026/SPKT/Bareskrim Polri dated 26 May 2026, was received by Bareskrim.

IKM stated that Abu Janda’s remarks had offended the people of West Sumatra, particularly the Minangkabau ethnic group, causing concern. Defrizal Djamaris, IKM DPP’s Vice Chairman for Law and Human Rights, said: ‘We are specifically referring to the people of West Sumatra, the Minangkabau ethnic group. Today, the DPP of Ikatan Keluarga Minang has formally filed a police report against the suspect, Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda,’ at Bareskrim Polri headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

According to Defrizal, the report relates to a speech by Abu Janda allegedly made abroad, in the United States. ‘The basis of this report is a speech that was allegedly made in a place of worship, likely overseas, possibly in the United States, perhaps in Philadelphia,’ he said.

In the disputed speech, Abu Janda reportedly referred to West Sumatra as an intolerant region and its people as ‘bar-bar’, which sparked strong reactions from the Minangkabau community.