Reasons Why PSI Will Not Provide Legal Assistance to Grace Natalie
Grace Natalie, the Secretary of the PSI’s Board of Trustees, has been reported to the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) regarding an alleged case of editing a sermon video by Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK). PSI itself will not provide legal assistance.
Grace was reported by a coalition of 40 Islamic community organisations (ormas). In addition to her, Ade Armando and Permadi Arya, also known as Abu Janda, were also reported.
A representative from LBH Hidayatullah, Syaefullah Hamid, explained that legal action was taken to prevent negative responses in society that could threaten religious harmony. The report was registered under number LP/B/185/V/2026/SPKT/BARESKRIM POLRI, dated 4 May 2026.
“We want the Muslim community's response to this dynamic to be channelled through legal processes, because we want to avoid any negative responses that could potentially harm religious harmony in Indonesia,” he told reporters at Bareskrim Polri in South Jakarta on Monday (4/5/2026).
On the same occasion, LBH Syarikat Islam Gurun Arisastra revealed details of the posts by the reported individuals. Ade Armando, he said, uploaded the video excerpt on Cokro TV on 9 April 2026.
This was followed by Permadi Arya on 12 April 2026, and Grace Natalie on 13 April 2026, on their respective social media platforms.
“There are narratives being built where an incomplete video is presented to the public. Namely, a video excerpt, and narratives are constructed that lead to an incomplete perspective or conclusion in society,” stated Gurun.
According to him, Ade Armando and others are suspected of framing that Jusuf Kalla was discussing Christian religious teachings related to martyrdom. However, if watched in full for 40 minutes, JK was actually explaining the psychological concerns of society and correcting misguided thinking regarding the concept of martyrdom.
“Thus, Mr JK stated that the way of thinking about martyrdom is wrong, it's mistaken, you all will go to hell, not to heaven. This was not conveyed to the public, not in full. This statement was cut off,” said Gurun.
PSI Will Not Provide Legal Assistance
PSI stated that what Grace Natalie said was a personal statement.
"Like this, the statement made by a party member, well, let's say Ms Grace, that is a personal statement," said PSI Acting Chairman Ahmad Ali or Mad Ali at the PSI DPP office on Tuesday (5/5/2026).
Mad Ali stated that institutionally, PSI would not provide legal assistance. Mad Ali emphasised that the report must be accounted for by Grace Natalie personally.
"Institutionally, we assure that we will not provide legal assistance on behalf of the party. Because this is something that must be accounted for personally," he said.
Nevertheless, Mad Ali stated that PSI would still provide support as a friend to Grace Natalie.
"The Indonesian Solidarity Party, in the context of friendship, as a friend, we provide personal assistance," he said.
Deemed to Cause Disturbance
Meanwhile, a representative from LBH PP Muhammadiyah, Gufron, stated that the actions of Ade Armando and others have provoked disturbance.
"Even though we know that Indonesia is already very harmonious in its diversity, very harmonious in its religions, suddenly there emerge statements that provoke disturbance," said Gufron.
"If only Ade Armando, then Permadi Arya, and Grace Natalie had not touched on this very sensitive issue, I think Indonesia would not have this kind of disturbance," he added.
In relation to that, his side has submitted a flash drive containing digital evidence and written documents to the investigators. This includes preparing witnesses and expert witnesses to strengthen the report.
The three were reported in connection with the criminal offence of incitement carried out via electronic media, provocation, and incitement via electronic media. Namely, under Article 28 paragraph (2) jo Article 45a paragraph (2), Article 32 paragraph (1) jo Article 48 of Law No. 1 of 2024 on ITE, as well as several articles in the new Criminal Code such as Article 243 and Article 247.