Fadli Zon Responds to PTUN Ruling: No Mass Rape in 1998

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia’s Culture Minister Fadli Zon has responded to the Administrative Court (PTUN) ruling that rejected a lawsuit against him by firmly denying the occurrence of mass rapes in May 1998. “My view is that there was no mass rape in 1998,” said Fadli Zon in response to the PTUN ruling, when contacted by Kompas.com on Saturday (25/4/2026). “Rapes may have occurred, carried out by criminal perpetrators,” added Fadli Zon, a Gerindra Party politician who previously served as a member of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) representing youth groups from 1997 to 1999. The Civil Society Coalition now intends to appeal the PTUN decision. “No problem. We will certainly prepare a legal team,” said Fadli Zon in response. On Tuesday (22/4/2026), the Jakarta PTUN stated that it could not accept the lawsuit and granted the defendant’s absolute competency exception. In its verdict, the court assessed that it lacked authority to adjudicate the case because the object of the dispute—Fadli Zon’s statements via press releases and social media—did not meet the elements of an Administrative Decision. “The Jakarta Administrative Court absolutely lacks authority to adjudicate this dispute,” stated the panel of judges’ consideration. The PTUN also deemed the statements did not produce concrete, individual, and final legal effects, thus falling outside the scope of disputable objects. On that basis, the lawsuit was declared inadmissible, and the plaintiffs were ordered to bear the court costs. “We will certainly pursue an appeal to the High Administrative Court,” said Daniel at a press conference at the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) on Wednesday (22/4/2026). He emphasised that the lawsuit also aimed to affirm the PTUN’s authority in adjudicating government administrative actions, including official ministry statements. “This is a factual action that should be resolved through administrative court mechanisms,” said Daniel.