Police to Consider Outcome of Traditional Council Hearing in Case of Pandji's Joke about Toraja
The Directorate of Special Cyber Crimes (Dittipidsiber) of the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) stated that the investigation into the alleged defamation of Toraja customs related to the content of comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono is still ongoing, even though the traditional council hearing has been completed. The police will consider the process of the traditional council hearing that Pandji underwent.
Brigadier General Himawan Bayu Aji, Head of the Cybercrime Directorate of Bareskrim Polri, said that so far, 14 witnesses and nine experts have been examined in the case, including the administrator of Pandji’s YouTube channel, whose initials are SB.
“So, regarding the progress of Pandji’s case, 14 witnesses and 9 experts have been examined. Yesterday, the last examination was of Pandji’s administrator to complete the investigation,” Himawan told reporters on Thursday (February 26, 2026).
When asked about the traditional council hearing that Pandji had undergone, Himawan said that it would also be considered. This is in line with the application of ‘living law’ with national criminal law.
“Yes, everything that has been done is a concrete step in accordance with ‘living law’. Then, with the existence of national law, this is what we are doing in parallel with the investigation,” said Himawan.
Himawan said that the traditional court process that Pandji had undergone would be used as material for consideration in a case review to determine the direction of the next investigation.
“So, later we will see what the outcome will be after there are further examinations after he held the traditional council hearing in Toraja. Then we will review what elements can be included, and then we will conclude it in a case review,” explained Himawan.
He did not rule out the possibility that they would examine the Toraja community leaders who had conducted the traditional court against Pandji as material for the case review.
“It is possible that if it is needed in the investigation, we will conduct an examination on several parties who are needed in the investigation process,” said Himawan.
Himawan explained that the case of alleged defamation against the funeral traditions of the Toraja tribe had been elevated to the investigation stage. However, he ensured that Pandji’s status was still as a witness.
“For now, he is still a witness. Yes, (he will be examined) after, he has been examined again in the traditional court. There is a possibility that he will be examined again,” he concluded.
Previously, Pandji was reported by the Toraja Youth Alliance to Bareskrim Polri after one of his stand-up comedy routines was considered to have defamed Toraja customs. In his comedy routine, Pandji discussed the funeral procession in the Toraja tribe.
Pandji had also been examined on Monday (February 2). The material that is now controversial was actually part of Pandji’s stand-up comedy show in 2013. In the show, Pandji mentioned the high costs that must be incurred in carrying out a funeral with Toraja customs.
Pandji has also undergone a traditional council hearing following his joke about Toraja culture. Pandji was sanctioned with a fine of one pig and five chickens.
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