Pandji considers Vice President Gibran wise in responding to mens rea

JAKARTA - Comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono responded to Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's response regarding a stand-up comedy event titled Mens Rea which reaped both pros and cons in the community.

Pandji assessed Gibran's response as quite wise as a vice president, especially because he comes from the millennial generation who he considered better understand popular culture, including stand-up comedy.

"The response that I think is quite wise because Vice President Gibran is the vice president. It seems that he is the first vice president from the millennial generation, so it is the most appropriate to be able to respond to a culture like stand-up comedy," he told the media at the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police, Monday, February 2, 2026.

According to Pandji, Gibran's attitude shows an understanding of art and comedy as a form of cultural expression. He also hopes that supporters will not respond to the issue excessively.

"His response shows that he understands this art, yes, he hopes that his supporters do not need to be too excessive," he said.

Pandji emphasized that everyone has the right to have an opinion on works that have been released to the public.

"I think anyone has the right to have an opinion. I as a working person, when his work is released, people can have an opinion. For me it is a comedy show designed to entertain the public," he said.

Pandji admitted that he had predicted that there would be a response from the public, although at first he imagined a positive response in the form of entertainment.

"If it will cause a response, it must have been predicted. But I predict a response will be entertained. In the end, like this, I just accept it, and maybe it's normal," he added.

Regarding his decision to air Mens Rea on Netflix, Pandji called it an effort to reach a wider audience.

"As a comedian, I want to entertain people as much as possible. So when there is an opportunity to entertain people through anything, including Netflix, I take that option. People need to be entertained," he explained.