West Java Police Have Not Yet Received Complaints Against Abu Janda Over 'Barbar' Remarks

Bandung — West Java Police have not yet received any public complaints regarding Abu Janda’s alleged remarks labelling West Java and West Sumatra as ‘barbar’ in a video recording. However, they are continuing to monitor developments on the ground. ‘There have been no complaints so far,’ said West Java Police Public Relations Chief, Kombes Hendra Rochmawan, on Monday (1 June 2026). He added that the police are monitoring developments, including movements by Islamic organisations in West Java that may file reports. Previously, the Central Board of the Minangkabau Family Association (DPP IKM) filed a report against social media activist Permadi Arya, alias Abu Janda, for calling West Sumatra ‘barbar’. ‘Yes, we have filed the report,’ said DPP IKM Secretary General Braditi Moulevey, contacted in Padang on Wednesday (27 May 2026). Braditi explained the report was made after Minangkabau community members, both locally and abroad, felt disturbed by Abu Janda’s comments. He stated that the remarks made by Abu Janda at a church in the United States were suspected to be hate speech. Several video clips circulating online allegedly show Abu Janda referring to West Java and West Sumatra as ‘barbar’. Before taking legal action, Braditi said DPP IKM first conducted internal discussions with the organisation’s legal department. Following this, IKM obtained a complete nine-minute video from a social media account without cuts, with the ‘barbar’ remarks occurring in the middle. IKM has since reported the matter to the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri). ‘We have secured a nine-minute video from a social media account without any edits. The ’barbar’ comments are in the middle, around the middle minutes,’ Braditi said.