Police Question Comedian Pandji in Toraja Ethnic Joke Case Today

Investigators from the Cyber Crimes Directorate of Indonesia’s National Police have scheduled questioning of comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono in an alleged case of ethnic insult and hate speech targeting the Toraja community on Monday, 9 March 2026.

This follow-up questioning comes after Pandji previously underwent customary Toraja court proceedings stemming from his controversial remarks.

“The questioning of Pandji Pragiwaksono is still scheduled,” said Kombes Rizki Agung Prakoso, Head of Section I of the Police Cyber Crimes Directorate, when contacted for confirmation.

Separately, Pandji’s legal representative Haris Azhar confirmed that Pandji would attend the scheduled questioning. “God willing, he will be present at 10 o’clock,” Haris stated.

Pandji was previously questioned on Monday, 2 February 2026, during which he reported being asked 48 questions related to the alleged insult against the Toraja people.

During the customary Toraja court hearing, Pandji was handed traditional sanctions requiring him to offer an apology to ancestors and pay one pig and five chickens. The sanction was issued during customary proceedings held at Tongkonan Layuk Kaero in Sangalla, Tana Toraja on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.

Pandji accepted the ruling gracefully and apologised to the Toraja community. He pledged to improve himself moving forward and promised not to repeat similar mistakes in the future.

Previously, the Toraja Youth Alliance had reported comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono to the National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate regarding allegations of ethnic insult and hate speech against the Toraja people.

Brigjen Himawan Bayu Aji, Director of Cyber Crime Investigations at the National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate, stated that authorities would consider the results of the customary Toraja court proceedings already undergone by Pandji in accordance with the principle of living law—traditional law practised within communities—alongside national criminal law.

“All the steps taken represent concrete actions consistent with living law. Then alongside national law, we are conducting parallel investigations,” he told journalists on Thursday, 26 February 2026.

For this reason, Himawan stated that the customary legal proceedings Pandji has already completed will be considered when authorities determine whether he should be named as a suspect or whether charges can be brought.