Former Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK), has addressed allegations of religious blasphemy following a sermon delivered at the UGM Mosque on March 5, 2026. The 10th and 12th Vice President stated that the accusations stem from edited video clips accompanied by inaccurate narratives regarding his discussion of the Poso and Ambon conflicts.
Legal Reports and Allegations
The Dewan Pimpinan Pusat Gerakan Angkatan Muda Kristen Indonesia (DPP GAMKI), along with several other organizations, reported JK to the police. GAMKI Chairman Sahat Sinurat asserted that JK’s statements offended Christian teachings and caused public unrest, emphasizing that Christian doctrine does not justify killing as a path to heaven.
Further legal action was taken on April 14, when the Aliansi Masyarakat Sipil Sumatra Utara reported JK to the North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumut) on similar grounds of blasphemy.
JK’s Defense and Firsthand Experience
During a press conference at his residence in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Saturday, April 18, JK displayed video footage of the Poso and Ambon conflicts. He described the violence in those regions during the late 1990s and early 2000s as more cruel than the G30SPKI events.
JK claimed that those reporting him were not present during these conflicts, whereas he, former Law and Human Rights Minister Hamid Awaluddin, and journalist Husain Abdullah witnessed the events firsthand. He accused the creators of the viral narratives of defamation.
Institutional Responses and Counter-Reports
Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai has expressed strong opposition to the police reports against JK. Pigai advocated for the resolution of the polemic through dialogue rather than legal channels, stating that such reports offer no benefit.
Meanwhile, the Presidium Anti Provokator Nasional, represented by advocate Emil Harris and member Muchtar Daeng Lau, announced plans to report individuals who spread the edited videos. They argue the clips were intentionally manipulated to create the appearance of a legal violation.
The administration of the UGM Campus Mosque also issued a plea via YouTube, urging the public to watch the sermon in its entirety to avoid misunderstandings caused by incomplete snippets.
Historical Context of Poso and Ambon
The Poso conflict in Central Sulawesi occurred between 1998 and 2001, driven by economic inequality, local political competition, and demographic changes from transmigration, though it often appeared as a religious conflict.
Similarly, the Ambon conflict in Maluku spanned from 1999 to 2002, beginning as an individual dispute before escalating into a wide-scale communal conflict with religious overtones.
What May Happen Next
The legal proceedings at Polda Metro Jaya and Polda Sumut could determine whether the cases proceed to trial or are dropped based on the full context of the sermon. The planned report by the Presidium Anti Provokator Nasional may lead to legal action against those accused of spreading defamatory edits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Jusuf Kalla reported to the police?
He was reported by DPP GAMKI and the Aliansi Masyarakat Sipil Sumatra Utara following a sermon at the UGM Mosque on March 5, 2026, which they claimed offended Christian teachings and constituted blasphemy.
What is Jusuf Kalla’s primary defense?
JK argues that the reports are based on edited video clips and inaccurate narratives that fit a false frame, and that his actual discussion was an educational look back at the Poso and Ambon conflicts.
What was the response from the UGM Mosque?
The mosque’s YouTube admin urged the public to watch the full recording of the sermon rather than relying on fragments, noting that incomplete clips can lead to fatal misunderstandings.
Do you believe that dialogue is more effective than legal action when resolving disputes over public speeches on sensitive historical events?
