IKM Reports Abu Janda to Bareskrim Over Alleged 'Barbarian' Insult to West Sumatra Community

The Central Leadership Council of the Minangkabau Family Association (DPP IKM) has formally reported Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda, to Bareskrim Polri over alleged remarks insulting the West Sumatra community by referring to them as ‘barbarians’.

‘The report concerns alleged hate speech by Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda, who is accused of making derogatory remarks against the West Sumatra community by calling them ’barbarians’,’ said DPP IKM Secretary-General Braditi Moulevey Rajo Mudo at Bareskrim Polri headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday (26 May 2026).

The report has been registered under reference number LP/B/230/V/2026/SPKT/Bareskrim. IKM stated that Abu Janda’s comments have deeply offended the Minangkabau community.

‘Under President Prabowo’s administration, no one is above the law. As citizens, we all have equal standing before the law,’ he added.

Defrizal Djamaris, DPP IKM’s Legal Affairs Deputy Chairman, explained that the group reported Abu Janda for alleged hate speech with SARA (ethnic, religious, racial, and intergroup) elements. He stated that the remarks were made during a speech allegedly delivered in the United States.

‘We have filed the report under Article 242 of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the New Criminal Code (KUHP Baru). The speech by Permadi Arya is alleged to have been made abroad, possibly in Philadelphia, United States,’ said Defrizal.

He highlighted the use of the term ‘barbar’ directed at West Sumatra and West Java communities. According to him, the Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI) defines the word as having highly negative connotations.

‘He pointed out that the term ’barbar’ was used against West Sumatra and West Java communities because their abbreviations (Sumbar and Jabar) contain ‘bar’, suggesting they are barbaric people,’ Defrizal explained.

‘According to the Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), ’barbar’ clearly means uncivilised, cruel, and lacking in civilisation,’ he added.

The group submitted evidence in the form of a nine-minute video from the TikTok account ‘Pengharapan Kekal’ featuring Abu Janda’s speech. IKM hopes the police will handle the report transparently, professionally, and proportionately.

‘We hope the law will be equally strict towards individuals like him (Abu Janda). So far, many public reports concerning him have seemed inadequately addressed. We hope for justice this time,’ he concluded.