Pandji Pragiwaksono Hopes Toraja Case Concludes with Restorative Justice
Comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono and his legal counsel hope that the case alleging hate speech and religious insults against the Toraja community will be resolved through restorative justice.
“Under the new criminal code, restorative justice is prioritised. Customary court proceedings are valid and should be elevated and prioritised. This is what I and my legal counsel, Haris Azhar, hope for. We shall see what happens,” Pandji told journalists outside Bareskrim Polri headquarters on Monday, 9 March.
Pragiwaksono expressed confidence in the ongoing investigation process and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the Toraja indigenous community.
“I am confident that everything will reach clarity. I shall proceed through the process and trust in what is happening. I am grateful that a path has been opened to meet with the indigenous community,” he stated.
Regarding mediation, Pragiwaksono said he had already engaged in this process during the customary Toraja court proceedings.
“The customary court session I underwent was itself a form of legitimate mediation, attended by representatives from thirty-two customary regions. All Toraja customary regions were present with their representatives, and seven chief judges were also present,” he said.
Pragiwaksono has completed questioning by Bareskrim Polri regarding the case. He reported being asked seventeen questions about the customary Toraja court proceedings against him.
Earlier, during the customary Toraja court session, Pragiwaksono received customary sanctions requiring him to apologise to ancestors and provide one pig and five chickens. These sanctions were imposed during proceedings at Tongkonan Layuk Kaero, Sangalla, Tana Toraja, on Tuesday, 10 February.
Pragiwaksoko accepted the sanctions gracefully and apologised to the Toraja community. He pledged to improve himself going forward and refrain from repeating similar mistakes in future.
A report against Pragiwaksono was lodged by the Toraja Youth Alliance affiliated with Polri, concerning allegations of insulting remarks and hate speech with religious elements directed at the Toraja community.
Brigadier General Himawan Bayu Aji, director of cybercrime offences at Bareskrim Polri, stated that he would consider the results of the customary Toraja court proceedings undertaken by Pragiwaksono in line with the application of living law (hukum yang hidup di masyarakat) alongside national criminal law.
Consequently, Himawan stated that the customary court proceedings already undergone by Pragiwaksono would be considered when determining whether he could be charged as a suspect.