Human Rights Minister urges Indonesian National Police to apply restorative justice in Pandji case

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has urged the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim Polri) to apply restorative justice in resolving the case against comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono, who faces allegations of insulting the Toraja ethnic group through electronic media.

Pigai made the statement following Pandji’s completion of Toraja customary law procedures related to the insulting remarks allegation.

“The legal process against Pandji Pragiwaksono falls under police jurisdiction, which we respect. However, law enforcement must also exercise wisdom and discretion (restorative justice). What is important is that Pandji Pragiwaksono has already received social punishment,” Pigai stated via his personal X account on Saturday.

According to Pigai, through restorative justice, law enforcement could provide education regarding responsible expression of opinions.

“It would be advisable for the police to consider restorative justice by reminding Pandji to exercise his fundamental right to freedom of thought, feeling, and opinion responsibly without insulting others (ad hominem), accusing others of wrongdoing without evidence and facts,” he added.

In November 2025, the Toraja Youth Alliance reported Pandji Pragiwaksono to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate over allegations of insulting remarks and hate speech targeting the Toraja community. The alliance contended that stand-up comedy material presented by Pandji regarding Toraja burial customs had demeaned and insulted the dignity of the Toraja people. The material was uploaded to Pandji’s YouTube account.

The complaint is currently under investigation by the Cyber Crime Directorate of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate. Pandji, several witnesses and experts, including the administrator of Pandji’s YouTube channel, have been questioned by investigators.

In February 2026, Pandji completed the Toraja customary law sanction process.

Responding to this development, Brigadier General Himawan Bayu Aji, Director of the Cyber Crime Directorate at the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate, stated that his office would consider the outcomes of the customary law proceedings.

“All of these actions are concrete steps in line with living law. Alongside the national legal framework, we are conducting parallel investigations. We will assess the outcome after the customary proceedings in Toraja and any subsequent examinations,” he said.