Minang Family Association Says Abu Janda's Clarification Widens Intolerance Issue
Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda, has been reported to the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) by the Central Leadership Council (DPP) of the Minang Family Association (IKM). The DPP IKM believes Abu Janda’s social media clarification has instead exacerbated tensions.
Abu Janda posted his statement after being reported to Bareskrim for allegedly insulting West Sumatra (Sumbar). In the shared video, he referenced several intolerance cases in Sumbar since 2024.
“Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda, has failed to address accusations of hate speech against the Sumbar or Minang community regarding the term ‘barbaric society’. Instead, he attempts to shift the issue by widening it to past religious misunderstandings, which have already been resolved through legal processes,” said DPP IKM in a statement on Thursday (28 May 2026).
The association emphasised that West Sumatran society is civilised and upholds unity among religious communities. DPP IKM noted Abu Janda’s lack of remorse for his actions.
“The DPP IKM asserts that the people of West Sumatra and the Minangkabau ethnic group are a highly civilised society guided by the philosophy of ‘Adat Basandi Syarak, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah’ (customs based on Sharia, Sharia based on the Quran), which promotes unity among different religions, races, and groups wherever they are,” said DPP IKM.
“Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda, has expressed no remorse for his remarks labelling the West Sumatran people as ‘barbaric’, made during a meeting at a place of worship in the United States in mid-May 2026. Instead, he has attempted to justify his actions by shifting focus to inter-religious intolerance issues,” the statement added.
DPP IKM has urged police to promptly examine Abu Janda, highlighting the ethnic, religious, racial, and inter-group (SARA) issues raised by him.
“Based on the aforementioned facts, we urgently call on the police to investigate and/or apprehend Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda,” said DPP IKM.
“There is sufficient evidence to meet the elements of the hate speech crime against a specific group under Article 242 of the new Criminal Code (KUHP), to prevent public unrest,” they added.
It is known that DPP IKM filed the report against Abu Janda on Tuesday (26 May 2026). The report was registered under case number LP/B/230/V/2026/SPKT/Bareskrim. IKM stated that Abu Janda’s remarks had offended the Minangkabau community.
“The report concerns alleged hate speech by Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda. He is suspected of making hate speech against the West Sumatra community by referring to them as a ‘barbaric tribe’,’” said DPP IKM Secretary-General Braditi Moulevey Rajo Mudo at the Bareskrim police headquarters.