JK Explains Context of His Sermon Video on 'Martyrs' Death'

Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President, Jusuf Kalla (JK), has spoken out regarding his sermon on ‘dying as a martyr’ delivered at Gadjah Mada University (UGM). JK emphasised that the context of his statement related to conflicts in Poso and Ambon, and was not intended to offend Muslims or Christians.

“I only spoke for one or two minutes about religious conflicts, including Ambon-Poso. I did not discuss religious dogma,” said JK during a press conference in the Brawijaya area, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Saturday (18/4/2026).

JK explained that he was describing how conflicts can arise, including those with a religious background. He noted that in the Ambon and Poso conflicts, many parties used religious legitimacy to justify violence.

According to him, the term ‘shahid’ that he used was tailored to the audience in the mosque setting. He also compared it to the term ‘martyr’ in Christian tradition.

“I used the word shahid because I was in a mosque. If I used ‘martyr’, the congregation wouldn’t understand. Yet the meaning is almost the same: dying for defending one’s religion,” he stated.

Nevertheless, JK affirmed that neither Islamic nor Christian teachings justify violent acts like those in the conflicts.

“No religious teaching justifies mutual killing. That is what I conveyed,” he stressed.

JK also described the brutality of the Ambon and Poso conflicts 25 years ago. He mentioned that thousands died and hundreds of thousands were displaced due to the violence that lasted several years.

“About 7,000 people died in three years. That was due to conflicts that invoked religion,” he said.

Furthermore, JK emphasised that his statement aimed to remind people not to use religion as a tool for conflict. He even claimed to have gone directly to the conflict areas to reconcile the warring parties.

“I came there to reconcile, not to divide. I staked my life,” he said.

JK asked the public to view his statement in full and not get trapped by circulating video snippets.

“See the full context. Don’t let it be cut and edited,” he added.

Previously, Vice President 10 and 12 Jusuf Kalla was reported to the Metro Jaya Police after his viral sermon video on ‘dying as a martyr’. Jusuf Kalla was reported for alleged blasphemy.

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

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

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 reporter accused Jusuf Kalla of alleged 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 Number 1 of 2023.

Sahat stated that Jusuf Kalla’s viral sermon on ‘dying as a martyr’ on social media hurt the feelings of Christians because it did not align with Christian teachings.