Pandji Pragiwaksono has responded to the sanctions levied against him by Tongkonan Adat Sang Torayan (TAST), a traditional customary institution in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi.
The sanctions require Pandji to pay a fine of 48 buffaloes and 48 pigs, in addition to Rp 2 billion. This penalty stems from material used in one of his stand-up comedy routines.
Pandji stated that he had been in communication with the Secretary-General of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), Rukka Sombolinggi, from the outset.
“According to Ibu Rukka and many Torajan friends, the Torajan people typically don’t impose such punishments,” Pandji Pragiwaksono explained in the Wijaya area of South Jakarta on Thursday, November 13th.
However, Pandji did not rule out the possibility of proactively offering some form of compensation. He stated that this gesture would be intended to maintain a positive relationship between himself and the Torajan community.
“If a contribution is made, it would be more of a goodwill gesture that I want to offer, symbolizing my desire for this relationship to remain amicable,” Pandji said.
“So, regarding matters concerning the Torajan community and their traditions, I am placing my trust in Ibu Rukka Sombolinggi from AMAN,” he added.
Currently, Pandji emphasized that he is still pursuing dialogue. Citing Rukka’s statement, Pandji mentioned that the reported sanctions are inaccurate.
“It’s not just that it’s not final; according to Ibu Rukka Sombolinggi – and this can be verified with Ibu Rukka Sombolinggi – it’s not accurate. Not ‘not yet final,’ but simply not accurate,” he clarified.
Previously, comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono publicly apologized to the people of Toraja for comedy material that was perceived as demeaning and offensive.
Pandji issued the apology via Instagram after a clip from a 2013 performance resurfaced and sparked widespread condemnation.
In his clarification, Pandji admitted that the jokes he made during his “Mesakke Bangsaku” show were ignorant, or dismissive, of the profound cultural values of Toraja.
Summary
Pandji Pragiwaksono has responded to sanctions levied against him by Tongkonan Adat Sang Torayan (TAST) in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, which demand a fine of 48 buffaloes, 48 pigs, and Rp 2 billion for material from a stand-up comedy routine. He previously apologized for a 2013 comedy clip that resurfaced and was widely condemned as demeaning to Torajan culture. Pandji stated he has been communicating with Rukka Sombolinggi from the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) regarding the situation.
Pandji clarified that, according to Rukka Sombolinggi, the reported sanctions are not accurate. Despite this, he expressed willingness to proactively offer a goodwill gesture as compensation to maintain an amicable relationship with the Torajan community. He emphasized placing his trust in Rukka Sombolinggi for matters concerning Torajan traditions.