JK Meets Malino Peace Negotiation Delegates to Discuss Viral Sermon Controversy
Vice President 10th and 12th of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK), held a meeting with figures from the Malino I and II peace negotiations that ended the conflicts in Poso and Ambon. The meeting was held to discuss JK’s viral sermon at UGM Mosque.
“We have already met and agreed to certainly maintain peace and ensure that those effects, slanders, should not be misunderstood properly. Nevertheless, what I conveyed was what happened in Poso and Ambon, which occurred 25 years ago,” said JK after the meeting at Hotel JS Luwansa, Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/4/2026).
Several figures attended this meeting. Among them were Pendeta John Ruhulessin from the Protestant Church of Maluku, Pendeta Rinaldi Damanik as a delegate in the Malino I negotiations, and Ustaz Sugiyanto Kaimuddin as a delegate in the Malino I negotiations.
Pendeta John stated that what JK conveyed in his sermon at UGM Mosque about the conflicts in Ambon and Poso was fact. He assessed that there was no blasphemy of religion in that sermon.
“He explained the sociological facts that occurred in Maluku when he was trusted by the state to resolve the Maluku conflict. Several times he came to Ambon and went down to meet the community, saw directly and experienced the conflict processes that happened. Mr JK never discussed a religious doctrine,” said John after the meeting.
John believes there would be no conflict in Ambon and Poso if religious teachings were practised correctly. He said the conflict occurred because some exploited religious teachings to heat up the situation.
“I want to emphasise that what was stated by Mr JK does not at all intend to blaspheme Christianity in this case. I think that is my testimony, my testimony, and Mr JK does not at all intend to discuss religious dogma or doctrine,” said John.
“He only recorded and saw the facts that occurred in the midst of society that people were killing each other because of religious legitimations they used. I think that’s what I want to convey,” he continued.
Pendeta Rinaldi also assessed that what JK conveyed was not a theological statement. According to him, the sermon contained the bitter reality of the conflicts in Poso and Ambon.
“What was conveyed by Mr JK, more or less the sentence about conflicting with the reason of martyrdom to enter heaven, that did happen in that conflict. As Mr Pendeta said earlier, that really happened in that reality,” said Pendeta Rinaldi.
He also described the conflict situation at that time. He said at that time there was a belief that killing people from another religion would get one into heaven.
“No need to go far. I myself was brave to go anywhere because I was sure at that time I would definitely enter heaven. That’s it. And many people at that time asked to be prayed for. And we wore robes and prayed for them because they believed that killing people and being killed would enter heaven. That’s what happened at that time,” he revealed.
Ustaz Sugiyanto said the conflict in Poso is already resolved. He said JK delivered a sermon containing field facts when the conflict occurred.
“Actually, the Poso riot matter is clear, there’s nothing to discuss. Because what was conveyed by Mr JK is field fact. There they shouted ‘Blood of Jesus’, on the other side they shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’,” said Sugiyanto.
He said the conflict occurred because of grudges and ambitions. He said religion was instead used to make the situation worse.
“Everything because of ambition, everything because of grudge, anger that was then polished with religion. So what was conveyed is fact, there’s nothing wrong, but at that time,” he stated.