Human Rights Minister Pigai Rejects Police Report Against JK: It Serves No Purpose
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai is encouraging the resolution of the controversy surrounding statements by the 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK), through dialogue, as an effort to maintain unity amid potential social tensions based on differing views.
Pigai assesses that a non-litigious approach is more effective in quelling conflicts than legal steps, especially in sensitive issues such as religion. He firmly rejects those who have reported JK to the police.
“As Human Rights Minister, I do not agree with the police report against Mr JK. I firmly reject it. To be honest, it serves no purpose,” said Pigai, as quoted by Antara on Wednesday (15/4).
He believes that resolution through clarification and open communication can prevent conflict escalation while preserving social cohesion in society.
According to him, Jusuf Kalla as a national figure should not be immediately assumed to have the intention to discredit a particular group.
“Mr JK is a statesman, as a former vice president, I do not believe there is any malicious intent to discredit a particular religion,” he said.
Pigai emphasised that if there are statements that are questioned, the mechanism of dialogue must be the primary choice before resorting to legal channels.
“There are things that, if deemed inappropriate, can be addressed through clarification efforts, through the path of dialogue, without needing to report to the police,” he said.
He also reminded of the importance of public maturity in responding to differences so as not to be easily provoked by divisive narratives.
“Pitting one group of society against another through religious issues will only harm us as a nation,” he said.
According to Pigai, maintaining social harmony is key amid national dynamics, so all parties need to prioritise common interests.
“It is far more important at this time to maintain harmony, unity, and oneness. Pursue the path of dialogue,” he said.
Previously, several civil society organisations reported Jusuf Kalla to the police regarding his statements in a lecture that sparked controversy.
One of them was Sahat Martin Philip Sinurat, General Chairman of the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI), who reported JK to the Metro Jaya Police.
However, JK’s side emphasised that his statements were not intended to teach theology, but rather to explain conflict dynamics and the importance of correcting understanding to achieve peace.