Full Explanation of Ade Armando's Resignation from PSI and the JK Video Case
Social media activist Ade Armando has responded to reports filed against him with the Metro Jaya Regional Police and National Police Criminal Investigation Agency regarding allegations of incitement and hate speech stemming from his post about a clip of a sermon by the 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) at UGM Mosque during last Ramadan.
The man, who has just announced his resignation from membership in the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) as a result of the case, claims he is ready to meet JK and apologise to the Muslim and Christian communities.
That decision was conveyed by Ade during a press conference held by the PSI Central Executive Board, which was also attended by PSI Daily Chairman Ahmad Ali at the party’s headquarters in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday afternoon (5/5).
“With your permission, through this press conference, I am stating my resignation from PSI, yes,” said Ade Armando.
Ade said his decision to resign was not due to any issues with PSI. According to him, the legal process he is undergoing as a result of reports from several parties has dragged the party into it.
However, he continued, the alleged incitement and hate speech was carried out in his personal capacity.
According to Ade Armando, the current legal case ensnaring him has dragged the party and could impact the movements of the party led by the youngest son of the seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Kaesang Pangarep, in facing the 2029 Elections.
“This time the atmosphere is a bit different. It seems like this is the first time my case has been reported in such a massive way. For example, there are 40 Islamic organisations or figures under Mr Din Syamsuddin, if I’m not mistaken, who came to the police and reported me,” Ade said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Ali on that occasion admitted that they had held a long discussion with Ade regarding his resignation decision.
In that discussion, Ali said, Ade admitted he was worried that the legal case dragging him would not only impact the party but also Jokowi and his family. He also emphasised that Ade’s resignation was not due to pressure.
“So according to Bang Ade’s analysis, this could spread to the party, even refer to Mr Jokowi. It’s always connected, connected, connected there,” he said.
Regarding JK, the Muslim Community, and the Christian Community
Ade admitted that the reports against him to the police were not the first time.
Ahead of the 2024 Elections, he was also reported for hate speech for criticising land ownership in Yogyakarta. At that time, he also issued an apology.
And, regarding this latest case, Ade also claimed he is ready to meet JK and express apologies to the Muslim and Christian communities if his statements on YouTube Cokro TV are deemed to offend them.
However, Ade emphasised that none of his statements were intended to hurt JK or the Muslim and Christian communities.
“If I am brought face to face with Mr JK, I would too. Or I have to apologise to the Muslim community, for example, or the Christian community, I am willing,” said Ade.
“But I will say I have never incited division, I have never insulted religion,” he added.
The crux of the case
Previously, Ade along with Permadi Arya were reported to the police, namely to the Metro Jaya Regional Police and National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, regarding allegations of incitement and provocation following a video clip of JK’s sermon at Gadjah Mada University Mosque (UGM) in early March or last Ramadan.
The full recording of the sermon video itself was uploaded to the UGM Mosque YouTube channel. The UGM Mosque YouTube channel has asked all parties to view and understand the full context of the sermon before concluding or harbouring bad suspicions.
The report to the Metro Jaya Regional Police was filed by the Maluku Advocacy Profession Alliance (APAM) and registered under number LP/B/2767/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA.
APAM representative and reporter Paman Nurlette to journalists on Monday (20/4) stated that the clip of JK’s sermon uploaded by Ade on the YouTube channel Cokro TV and by Permadi on his Facebook account has caused uproar and unrest in the public space.
Nurlette reported Ade and Permadi regarding alleged violations of Article 48 in conjunction with Article 32 of the ITE Law and/or Article 243 of the Criminal Code.
Recently, 40 Islamic mass organisations under the Alliance for Interfaith Harmony also reported Ade and Permadi to the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency on Tuesday (5/5). That report was received and registered under number LP/B/185/V/2026/SPKT/Bareskrim Polri dated 4 May 2026.
In the second report, PSI Board of Trustees Secretary Grace Natalie was also reported.
The reports against them were first triggered by a report against JK for alleged blasphemy related to conflicts in Poso and Ambon in his sermon at UGM. That report was filed by the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI) led by Sahat Martin Philip Sinurat along with several related organisations.
Later, Sahat was known to be a PSI cadre serving as Acting Chairman of the PSI North Sumatra Provincial Board and Chairman of the PSI Politics Division.
Regarding Sahat, after a visit to Jokowi’s house some time ago, PSI Daily Chairman Ahmad Ali acknowledged Sahat’s position in his party. However, he emphasised that the individual acted in the name of the GAMKI organisation, and PSI did not interfere in the report filed by Sahat et al.
“PSI has no business with the reports against Mr Jusuf Kalla,” said Ahmad Ali after meeting Jokowi at his residence in Sumber, Solo, Central Java, on Thursday (16/4).
Meanwhile, regarding Grace Natalie, Ahmad Ali in a series of press conferences at his party’s headquarters yesterday emphasised that PSI would not provide legal assistance to her.