Key Points of JK's Statement After Being Reported to Police for Alleged Blasphemy
Vice President 10th and 12th of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, has spoken out following reports against him for alleged blasphemy through a lecture at the Gadjah Mada University Mosque on 5 March 2026.
JK, as he is commonly known, held a press conference at his private residence in the Brawijaya area, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Saturday (18/4).
On that occasion, JK expressed regret over the blasphemy report referencing the Poso conflict (1998-2001). In fact, from the beginning, he was one of the parties directly involved in that conflict.
“Have those who are slandering me ever been there [in the midst of the Poso and Ambon conflicts]? I was there,” JK said.
The Executive Board of the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI) along with several organisations reported JK to the police for alleged blasphemy. In Medan, a similar report was filed by organisations under the North Sumatra Civil Society Alliance.
JK was reported to the police because he was deemed to have blasphemed Christian teachings through his lecture titled “Indonesia’s Diplomatic Strategy in Mitigating Potential Escalation of Regional Multipolar War.”
In his lecture, JK touched on the Poso and Ambon conflicts (1999), and mentioned that both conflicting parties often believed that killing was justified by the conviction of “martyrdom.”
“There are also [conflicts] because of religion… both Muslims and Christians believe that dying or killing someone is martyrdom,” JK said.
Here are several points of clarification from JK at his residence regarding the report:
Consider Legal Action
JK admitted he will consider taking legal action against the parties who reported him to the police for alleged blasphemy at UGM during last Ramadan.
According to JK, the accusation of blasphemy against him regarding the Poso and Ambon conflicts is a form of slander. He believes the accusation could recur if not addressed.
“We are studying where it lies. Hopefully God, Allah, forgives those slanderers. Slander is more cruel than murder,” JK told the media.
JK admitted receiving encouragement from various parties to counter those who slandered him.
In addition, he has also urged various parties, including the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) management and the public, not to respond to the issue with protest actions. JK is currently the General Chairman of DMI.
Mention Termul and Jokowi
JK mentioned seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, along with his sympathisers on that occasion. He believes the report against him is related to them.
The report emerged after he reported Rismon Hasiholan Sianipar, a digital forensics expert who has now backed away from the issue of Jokowi’s diploma.
“What more do I need to do? I brought him to Jakarta,” JK said.
“Tell all those termul-termul that Jokowi became President because of me. Without that Governor, how could he become President?” he continued in a sharp tone.
Termul is a term on social media that often refers to “Ternak Mulyono”. Mulyono is Jokowi’s childhood name.
Mention Diploma Issue
According to JK, the controversy over his UGM lecture arose after he reported Rismon Hasiholan and touched on the Jokowi diploma issue.
JK reported Rismon regarding the spread of hoaxes and false news related to Jokowi’s diploma. At that time, he also asked Jokowi to show his original diploma.
In fact, JK believes Jokowi’s diploma is genuine. He said Jokowi should display the diploma so that the public is not divided over the issue.
“I am not accusing politics, but this is the reality that it arose after I reported Rismon and secondly I said that for two years the people have been conflicting, opposing, accusing each other, shouting and demonstrating. Enough, Mr Jokowi, enough. Just show the diploma. That’s all,” JK said.