Pandji Pragiwaksono Hopes for Peaceful Resolution of Mens Rea Case

Pandji Pragiwaksono (Virgi/VOI)

JAKARTA - Despite having to face a long legal process, comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono did not close the door to a peaceful settlement of reports and complaints against the Mens Rea event which allegedly insulted the Islamic religion.

He and his legal team actually hope that this case can be resolved through the Restorative Justice mechanism.

"I always open the space for dialogue," said Pandji after undergoing an examination at the Polda Metro Jaya, Friday, February 6.

He emphasized that historically, he has always been willing to engage in dialogue if there is a misunderstanding. His lawyer, Haris Azhar, added that the new Criminal Code now provides "luxury" in the form of a restorative mechanism. This allows for a settlement outside the prosecution track.

"So that the settlement does not have to be solely by retributive means. So it must be able to be adopted in ways that are beginning to be adopted as restorative," explained Haris.

The principle of restorative justice is to open a space for sincere dialogue from both parties to find a common ground.

Haris suspected that maybe Pandji's intentions and the reporters were actually both good. It's just that there is a difference in the way of seeing an expression.

"Actually, the intention is good, so there are pieces that have not been found, perhaps the way to see the expression," he said.

If this case can be resolved through restorative justice, Haris believes this will be a very good precedent.

"This will be a good modality for the police... for stand-up comedians, and for all of us," he hoped.

Pandji also welcomed this idea. "If there is an invitation for dialogue, I will be happy to go," he said.