Fallout from 'Martyred Death' Video: JK Reported for Alleged Religious Blasphemy

The complainants in this case are the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI). They reported Jusuf Kalla to the Integrated Police Service Centre (SPKT) of Metro Jaya Regional Police on Sunday night (12/4).

“We from the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement came earlier to report Mr Jusuf Kalla. Our presence also represents around 19 Christian institutions and community organisations,” said GAMKI General Chairman Sahat Martin Philip Sinurat to reporters, quoted on Monday (13/4/2026).

GAMKI’s report was registered under number LP/B/2547/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, dated 12 April 2026. In the report, Sahat as the complainant reported Jusuf Kalla regarding alleged religious blasphemy as referred to in Article 300 and/or Article 301 and/or Article 263 and/or Article 264 and/or Article 243 of Law No. 1 of 2023.

Sahat stated that Jusuf Kalla’s lecture on ‘martyred death’ that went viral on social media hurt the feelings of Christians because it did not align with Christian teachings.

“Therefore, we reported it to Metro Jaya Police so that this statement, which has caused a stir on social media, can be directed and resolved legally,” he added.

Sahat mentioned that Jusuf Kalla’s statement has caused unrest in society and does not align with Christian teachings of ‘love’. Sahat emphasised that Christianity does not teach killing people of different religions.

“In fact, Christian teachings do not teach that; we are even taught to love fellow human beings, even enemies,” he added.

Sahat said they are open to the possibility of forgiving if Jusuf Kalla apologises. However, they entrust the entire legal process to the authorities.

“Precisely because we forgive, we do not want this to become a stir on social media. Because we see on social media that Mr Jusuf Kalla is being criticised and cursed by many netizens. So we place this in the legal realm,” said Sahat.

Meanwhile, General Chairman of the Central Board of Catholic Youth Stefanus Asat Gusma said that GAMKI and Catholic Youth took the initiative to file the report because the circulating content was deemed disturbing. He emphasised that Christian and Catholic teachings do not recognise violence, let alone murder of fellow humans.

“So we are reporting tonight so that the situation can be controlled by law enforcement authorities,” said Stefanus.

According to him, JK’s statement on the social media channel has caused unrest up to enmity. “Comments on social media are already mutually insulting, slandering, and touching on SARA [ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations],” he said.

JK Demanded to Apologise

Stefanus hopes JK will soon respond to the report. He also demands that JK apologise publicly.

“Our hope is that as a national figure, Mr JK will soon respond to this well, at least by giving a public statement, apologising, and then clarifying everything,” explained Stefanus.

Stefanus added that they will communicate with organisational structures throughout Indonesia to help calm the atmosphere. He also hopes that Metro Jaya Police will process the report.

The editorial team has contacted JK’s Spokesperson, Husain Abdullah, for comment on the report. However, until this news was published, there has been no response from JK’s side.

JK Denies Blaspheming Religion

Previously, JK’s Spokesperson Husain Abdullah denied the narrative. Husain said the accusation followed JK’s statement that went viral mentioning both parties in the Poso and Ambon conflicts using the term ‘martyred death’. Husain said the circulating video post only contained part of JK’s statement.

“However, after investigation, the accusation is the result of context cutting. We firmly deny the accusation,” said Husain when contacted on Sunday (12/4).

Husain said JK’s statement was delivered during a speech at the Campus Mosque of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, on Thursday (5/3/2026). In his full statement, JK emphasised that no religion teaches its followers to kill each other.

“JK described his efforts to reconcile the Poso and Ambon conflicts to the UGM academic community. Where JK first straightened the beliefs of the two conflicting groups, Islam and Christianity, that they had acted wrongly by using religious jargon as justification that caused thousands of lives to be lost on both sides. And the conflict was hard to stop,” he explained.