Pandji Pragiwaksono Apologizes To The Toraja Community And Is Ready To Undergo The Indigenous Legal Process

Pandji Pragiwaksono (Instagram @pandji.pragiwaksono)

JAKARTA - Komika Pandji Pragiwaksono openly apologized sincerely to the Toraja people regarding his jokes at the "Mesakke My Nation" show in 2013.

This apology was delivered through an official statement on his social media accounts, following a wave of protests and anger he has received in recent days.

In his statement, Pandji admitted that he had received and read all the protests and letters addressed to him. He emphasized that the turning point of his understanding occurred after a telephone dialogue with Mrs. Rukka Sombolinggi, Secretary General of the Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (AMAN).

"From that conversation, I realized that the jokes I made were indeed ignrant, and for that I would like to apologize profusely to the Toraja people who were offended and felt injured," Pandji wrote as quoted by VOI from his personal Instagram, Tuesday, November 4.

Pandji also revealed that currently there are two legal processes that are running on this case: the state legal process based on the police report, and the customary legal process. He stated his readiness to take a customary solution which, according to Mrs. Rukka, could only be done directly in Toraja.

"Mrs. Rukka is willing to be a facilitator of the meeting between me and representatives from 32 traditional Toraja areas. I will try to take that step. But if it is not possible time, I will respect and undergo the applicable state legal process," he explained.

More than just a personal apology, Pandji also made this incident a reflection moment to become a better comedian who is more sensitive, careful, and caring. He hopes that this case does not make other comics afraid to raise cultural value in their work.

According to him, the most important thing is not to stop talking about SARA (Suku, Religion, Ras, and Intergroup) issues, but how to talk about them wisely.

"The important thing is not to stop talking about SARA, but how to talk about it without demeaning or vilifying it," said Pandji.

This began when Pandji appeared in an event and discussed the traditional ceremony of Rambu Solo, a funeral tradition typical of the people of Toraja, South Sulawesi. In the end, it caused public anger.

"In Toraja, if there is a family who dies, he will use a very expensive party. In fact, many Toraja people have fallen poor after causing a party for their family's funeral," said Pandji Pragiwaksono.

"Many don't have money to bury them, finally just give them up. This is a common practice. His body just put it in the TV room in the living room. If it's normal for his family, yes, but if someone is visiting, he's confused. Watching anything on TV feels horror," continued Pandji.