Pandji explains Toraja customary court case during Bareskrim interrogation
Jakarta — Comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono explained his participation in Toraja customary court proceedings whilst being questioned as a witness by investigators from the Cyber Crime Directorate of the National Police Headquarters (Bareskrim Polri) in connection with an alleged case of insulting the Toraja people through electronic media.
Pandji stated that he was posed 17 questions by investigators, the majority of which pertained to the Toraja customary court proceedings.
“I was asked about my presence in Toraja when I participated in the Toraja customary court. The questions were about that, and I have provided clarification,” he said when met at Bareskrim Polri headquarters in Jakarta on Monday. “Hopefully the case can be resolved quickly.”
He also disclosed that investigators questioned him regarding which parties were involved in the customary court proceedings.
However, he requested that investigators directly confirm details with the local indigenous community representatives.
“I asked the investigators to verify directly with the indigenous community there to be more certain, because I did not want to make errors in stating names, positions, and especially the region,” he said.
Regarding the application of restorative justice, Pandji stated that this was not explicitly discussed during the interrogation. However, he expressed hope that restorative justice would be prioritised. “My hope is that restorative justice is indeed prioritised, because reconciliation has already taken place between me and authorised and legitimate representatives of the Toraja community,” he said.
Previously, the Toraja Youth Alliance reported Pandji to Bareskrim Polri in November 2025 over allegations of insulting and making SARA-related comments towards the Toraja people. The alliance contended that Pandji’s stand-up comedy material regarding Toraja burial rituals had denigrated and insulted the dignity of the ethnic group.
Several witnesses and experts, including the administrator of Pandji’s YouTube channel, had been questioned by investigators. Subsequently, in February 2026, Pandji completed the Toraja customary sanctions.