DPW IKM Sumsel Files Police Report Against Abu Janda Over 'Barbaric Tribe' Comments
The South Sumatra Provincial Chapter of the Minangkabau Family Association (DPW IKM Sumsel) has formally reported social media activist Permadi Arya, also known as Abu Janda, to the South Sumatra Police Department (Polda Sumsel). Abu Janda’s statements are deemed to have wounded the community and sparked negative stigma.
The legal action followed Abu Janda’s remarks about West Sumatra (Sumbar) and the term ‘barbar’, which sparked strong reactions from the Minangkabau community, including expatriates across various regions. The report was led by DPW IKM Sumsel Chairman Aljufri, along with the association’s leadership. The complaint was registered under case number LP/B/812/V/2026/SPKT/POLDA SUMATERA SELATAN dated 27 May 2026.
Aljufri stated that Abu Janda’s comments had hurt the feelings of West Sumatra residents and created negative stigma against the Minangkabau people. The legal action, he said, was not merely an emotional reaction but a show of solidarity and moral solidarity among Minang expatriates in safeguarding their homeland’s dignity.
“The Minangkabau community has long been known for upholding the philosophy”Adat Basandi Syara’, Syara’ Basandi Kitabullah” and the principle “where the earth is trodden, there the sky is held high”. These values form a strong foundation for the Minangkabau living harmoniously with other communities,” Aljufri stated on Thursday (28 May 2026).
He emphasised that the report would not have been filed if the Minangkabau community had not been disturbed by Abu Janda’s remarks. The former police officer and former West Pesisir Regency Regional House of Representatives member stated that Minangkabau people prefer consultation to resolve issues. He noted that West Sumatra residents have coexisted without significant social friction.
He also highlighted the role of prominent Minangkabau figures in Indonesia’s history. Names such as Bung Hatta, Mohammad Yamin, Mohammad Natsir, and Tan Malaka were cited as contributors to Indonesia’s unity. Therefore, he deemed allegations of intolerance towards West Sumatra residents inconsistent with social reality.
“During my tenure as district police chief and Regional House of Representatives member, I observed that Minangkabau people are generally open to everyone. This is because of the principle”where the earth is trodden, there the sky is held high”,” he said.
He added that the principle teaches Minangkabau people to adapt wherever they are without causing problems or enmity with other groups.
He urged the police to take the report seriously. For DPW IKM Sumsel, the legal action symbolises the unity of Minang expatriates in defending their homeland’s honour against baseless and unlawful statements.
Before DPW IKM Sumsel filed its report with Polda Sumsel, the National Chapter of the Minangkabau Family Association (DPP IKM) had formally reported Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda, to Bareskrim Polri. The report concerned Abu Janda’s alleged insults to West Sumatra residents by calling them a ‘barbaric tribe’.
“The report relates to alleged hate speech by Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda. He is suspected of making hate speech against West Sumatra residents by referring to them as a”barbaric tribe”,” said DPP IKM Secretary-General Braditi Moulevey Rajo Mudo at Bareskrim Polri headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday (26 May).
The report was registered under case number LP/B/230/V/2026/SPKT/Bareskrim. IKM stated that Abu Janda’s remarks had offended the Minangkabau community.