The Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) has dismissed a lawsuit against Culture Minister Fadli Zon regarding his public denial of mass rapes that occurred during the 1998 riots. Rights groups and victims’ families have described the ruling as a major step backward that could further perpetuate a culture of impunity.
Court Cites Lack of Jurisdiction
On Tuesday, an all-women panel of judges ruled in favor of the minister. The court upheld Zon’s objection regarding jurisdiction, concluding that the bench lacked the authority to adjudicate the case.
According to the court’s case tracking system (SIPP), the judges did not provide detailed reasons for the decision. The plaintiffs were ordered to pay trial court costs totaling Rp 233,000 (US$13.60).
The Basis of the Lawsuit
The legal action was filed last October by seven plaintiffs, including former attorney general Marzuki Darusman and Ita Fatia Nadia, the mother of a victim of the 1998 riots. The unrest, which preceded the fall of former president Soeharto, left more than 1,000 people dead and involved violent attacks against Chinese Indonesians.
The lawsuit sought a retraction and an apology following a June 2025 interview in which Minister Fadli Zon dismissed the mass rapes as “rumors.” Zon had claimed there was no proof of the incidents in official historical records and described the term “mass rape” as “problematic,” suggesting past findings were “merely numbers” lacking detail.
Contradicting the Official Record
Plaintiffs pointed to established investigations to refute the minister’s claims. In addition to the Habibie-era findings, a 2003 investigation by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) concluded the riots constituted gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity.
Marzuki Darusman, who chaired the 1998 fact-finding team, stated that the reports had been archived within the government, previously under the Justice Ministry, and had never been formally contested. He warned that this ruling may be used by the government to reinforce narratives that deny the mass rapes.
Impact and Potential Next Steps
Ita Fatia Nadia expressed frustration over the court’s “refusal to recognize documented evidence,” including survivor testimonies and archives. Arif Maulana of the Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) called the ruling a failure of the administrative court to oversee government actions when an official is seen as distorting historical facts.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Daniel Winarta, has stated that they intend to file an appeal with the Jakarta State Administrative High Court (PTTUN). Winarta argues that the case should be examined on its substance, as official statements issued by the Ministry of Culture may fall within the scope of state administrative law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Jakarta State Administrative Court dismiss the lawsuit?
The court ruled that it lacked the jurisdiction and authority to adjudicate the case, upholding an objection raised by Culture Minister Fadli Zon.
What specific remarks by Fadli Zon led to the lawsuit?
In a June 2025 interview, the minister dismissed the mass rapes of Chinese Indonesian women during the 1998 riots as rumors, claiming there was no proof in official historical documents.
What evidence did the plaintiffs provide to support their claims?
The plaintiffs cited findings from a government-sanctioned fact-finding team established by BJ Habibie, which identified 85 victims of sexual violence, and a 2003 Komnas HAM investigation that categorized the riots as gross human rights violations.
Do you believe courts should have the authority to penalize public officials for the denial of historically documented human rights abuses?