JK Reported Again Over Alleged Religious Blasphemy from His Sermon

A fresh wave of reports against Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla has emerged. This time, the North Sumatra Civil Society Alliance (Sumut) has reported JK to the North Sumatra Regional Police over alleged religious blasphemy. The report was received under Number: STTLP/B/579/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA SUMATERA UTARA. The alliance deems JK’s statements in a sermon at Gadjah Mada University Mosque in March to have offended Christian religious teachings. The alliance’s representative and Chairman of the Synod of the Indonesian Christ Soldier Church (GLKRI), Bishop Dikson Panjaitan, stated that JK’s narrative regarding the Poso and Ambon conflicts was deemed inappropriate and hurtful to Christians. The Bishop emphasised that Christian teachings never justify killing, especially when linked to religious concepts. “Mr Jusuf Kalla’s statement is truly blasphemous. It concerns the substance of the holy scripture itself. Christian teachings are distinct in their doctrine of love and compassion. In contrast, Christianity teaches to love one’s enemies, love your enemies,” he said when contacted by reporters on Wednesday, 15 April 2026. According to him, the statement is seen as deeply wounding the feelings of Christians both in Indonesia and globally. “Moreover, he (JK) said Christians kill Islam, yet Islam is not an enemy; honestly, most Christians do not regard Islam as an enemy. Even if some might, it greatly hurts the feelings of Christians worldwide, not just in Indonesia,” he added. He stressed that the report submitted by the alliance is an independent initiative and unrelated to other groups that previously reported JK. In addition to reporting to the police, the alliance plans to hold peaceful actions as a form of oversight for the ongoing legal process. They hope this step can prevent the emergence of intolerant attitudes in society. “There is no connection or support for any particular organisation. What we reported is purely our own initiative, but we are grateful that our friends from the North Sumatra civil society alliance support us. Thus, we are united, agreed, and numerous in discussing this and reaching the conclusion that I am the reporter,” he explained.