Jakarta. Comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono is facing police reports over material in his stand-up comedy special Mens Rea, igniting debate over the limits of satire, free expression and the application of Indonesia’s new Criminal Code.

The controversy centers on jokes and social criticism Pandji delivered during his Mens Rea performance at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on Aug. 30, 2025. The show, which began streaming on Netflix on Dec. 27, later went viral on social media in early 2026, drawing backlash from several groups who accused the comic of insulting public officials, religious organizations and state institutions.

Youth wings affiliated with Indonesia’s two largest Muslim organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, formally reported Pandji to Jakarta police on Jan. 8, accusing him of incitement, blasphemy and defamation under multiple articles of Indonesia’s newly enacted Criminal Code (KUHP). The complainants said Pandji’s material — particularly jokes criticizing NU and Muhammadiyah over their involvement in mining concessions granted by the government — contained unfounded allegations that could mislead the public and trigger social unrest.

Pandji also drew criticism for a joke likening Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to someone who looked sleepy, a remark that musician Tompi publicly condemned as a personal insult. In another segment, Pandji incorrectly referred to a corruption case involving Rp 1 trillion as being linked to the Attorney General’s Office, later clarifying that he meant a former Supreme Court official.

Former Constitutional Court judge Mahfud MD defended Pandji’s position, arguing that the comedian cannot be prosecuted under the new Criminal Code. He said the alleged statements were made before the law took effect on Jan. 2, 2026, and therefore cannot be punished retroactively.

“Calling someone sleepy is not an insult,” Mahfud said in a video posted on his YouTube channel. He stressed that legal accountability is determined by when a statement is made, not when it later circulates onlin.

Mahfud also warned that some provisions in the new Criminal Code could threaten freedom of expression and urged judicial review to prevent democratic backsliding. He even said he would personally defend Pandji if the case proceeds to trial.

Pandji has sought to ease the situation. Speaking on social media, he said he respects the right of any group to file a police report and will comply with the legal process if summoned. “That’s their right,” Pandji said. “I also have the right to express criticism, including toward the government, through comedy.”

He added that he hopes the dispute can be resolved through dialogue. “If they want an explanation about why the jokes were made that way, I’m happy to explain. Hopefully, they’ll laugh when I do,” he said.

Pandji has also publicly apologized for misnaming the Attorney General’s Office in his routine, clarifying that his reference was to a corruption and money laundering case involving a former Supreme Court official. “Sorry, I misspoke on stage,” he wrote on X, acknowledging the error.