Pandji Pragiwaksono's Apology Is Considered By The Reporter Not Sincere

JAKARTA - Representative of the Toraja Youth Alliance, Ricdwan Abbas, responded to the apology of comic Pandji Pragiwaksono which was conveyed through his personal Instagram account regarding stand-up material which was considered insulting to the customs and the people of Toraja.

Ricdwan said that his party appreciated Pandji's move to apologize, but considered that the apology did not seem sincere because it was not conveyed openly.

"We appreciate that he has apologized through IG (Instagram), although it actually seems not sincere because it is not open. Even the video is only edited writing, not recording himself," said Ricdwan, to VOI, Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Ricdwan emphasized that the report made to Bareskrim Polri was not intended to punish Pandji, but as a form of education so that the public, especially public figures, would appreciate the diversity of customs and culture in Indonesia.

"Our report is not merely a form of punishment but rather education so that everyone respects race, ethnicity, religion, customs and culture, and is not racist," he explained.

According to Ricdwan, Pandji's jokes that alluded to the funeral customs of the Toraja Rambu Solo tribe have degraded the dignity of the Toraja people. He considered that the joke was conveyed in a tone of belittle and had the potential to cause a negative stigma.

"The statement of Pandji's brother has degraded the customs and dignity of the Toraja tribe by saying that the Toraja people fall into poverty because their customs are expensive, and mention that the bodies are stored in the living room to make the house feel horror," he said.

Previously, Komika Pandji Pragiwaksono was reported by the Toraja Youth Alliance to the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) on suspicion of racist insults and hate speech against the people of Toraja. The report is contained in the Police Report: 01/LP/APT/XI/2025 Monday, November 3, 2025.

Pandji was considered racist, harassing and degrading the dignity of the Toraja community when delivering stand-up comedy material. The video was uploaded on Pandji Pragiwaksono's YouTube channel with the title Money VS Education. The video is now viral on various social media platforms.