Scrutinised Over Sermon Video on 'Martyrs' Death', JK Explains the Context

Vice President of Indonesia’s 10th and 12th administrations, Jusuf Kalla (JK), has finally elaborated on his sermon about ‘dying as a martyr’ at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). He emphasised that the context of his statement was not to offend Muslims or Christians, but rather regarding the conflicts in Poso and Ambon.

“I only spoke for one or two minutes about conflicts due to religion, including Ambon-Poso. I did not discuss religious dogma,” said JK during a press conference in the Brawijaya area, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Saturday (18/4/2026), as reported by detikNews.

JK explained that in the sermon, he described how conflicts can occur, including unrest motivated by religion. He noted that many parties in Ambon and Poso used religious legitimacy to justify violence.

He stated that the term ‘syahid’ he used in the sermon was adapted to the audience in the mosque environment. He then compared it to the term ‘martyr’ in Christianity.

“I used the word syahid because I was in a mosque. If I used the word martyr, the congregation wouldn’t understand. Yet the meanings are almost the same: dying for defending the faith,” he said.

JK emphasised that neither Islamic nor Christian teachings justify violence as seen in those conflicts.

“There is no religious teaching that justifies killing each other. That’s what I conveyed,” he asserted.

JK also described the brutality of the conflicts in Ambon and Poso 25 years ago. He mentioned that thousands died and hundreds of thousands were displaced due to the violence that lasted several years.

“About 7,000 people died in three years. That was due to conflicts that invoked religion,” he said.

JK continued that his statement aimed to remind people not to use religion as a tool for conflict. He even claimed to have gone directly to the conflict areas to reconcile the warring parties.

“I came there to reconcile, not to divide. I risked my life,” he said.

JK urged the public to view his statement in full context and not get trapped by circulating video clips.

“Look at the full context. Don’t let it be clipped,” he added.

Previously, Vice President 10 and 12 Jusuf Kalla was reported to Polda Metro Jaya after a viral video of his sermon on ‘dying as a martyr’. Jusuf Kalla was reported for alleged blasphemy.

The reporter in this case was the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI). They reported Jusuf Kalla to the Integrated Police Service Centre (SPKT) of Polda Metro Jaya on Sunday (12/4) night.

“We from the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement came earlier to report Mr Jusuf Kalla. Our presence also represents about 19 Christian institutions and community organisations,” said GAMKI General Chairman Sahat Martin Philip Sinurat, to reporters, quoted on Monday (13/4).

GAMKI’s report was registered under number LP/B/2547/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, dated 12 April 2026. In the report, Sahat as the reporter accused Jusuf Kalla of alleged blasphemy as stipulated in Article 300 and/or Article 301 and/or Article 263 and/or Article 264 and/or Article 243 of Law Number 1 of 2023.

Sahat conveyed that Jusuf Kalla’s viral sermon on ‘dying as a martyr’ on social media hurt the feelings of Christians because it did not align with Christian teachings.