Nafis Sadique Shatil
Indonesia’s contentious blasphemy law has once again sparked debate, following the arrest of a transgender influencer in Medan, North Sumatra.
The influencer, known as Ratu Thalisa, or Ratu Entok, was taken into custody on October 10 after Christian groups filed police reports accusing her of blasphemy. The incident stems from a TikTok livestream in which Entok, a Muslim skincare entrepreneur with over 451,000 followers, made controversial comments about Jesus while displaying his image.
During the livestream, Entok launched into a tirade, saying, “Don’t look like a woman, your hair must be shaved… Men should be bald, closely shaved.” The remarks appeared to be a response to a comment suggesting she cut her own hair to avoid looking feminine. The video quickly went viral, leading to backlash from Medan’s Christian community, which makes up around 30% of the province’s population.
Legal Action and Apology
Entok issued a public apology before her arrest, stating, “I would never commit blasphemy,” and expressed regret to those she offended. Her lawyer, Rahmat Junjung Sianturi, reiterated her remorse, asking for forgiveness from Christian communities.
Despite her apology, the arrest has reignited concerns over Indonesia’s blasphemy laws, which carry a maximum five-year prison sentence. Critics argue the laws, first introduced in 1965, are increasingly weaponized against minorities, including ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women.
A Controversial History
Indonesia, home to over 270 million people and the world’s largest Muslim population, officially recognizes six religions, including Protestantism, Catholicism, and Islam. However, blasphemy laws, also enforced under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law, have been criticized for disproportionately targeting vulnerable groups.
Recent high-profile cases include:
- Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama (2017): The Chinese-Indonesian former governor of Jakarta was jailed for two years for comments about the Quran.
- Meliana (2018): A Chinese-Indonesian woman received an 18-month sentence for complaining about mosque loudspeakers.
- Lina Mukherjee (2023): A Muslim influencer was sentenced to two years for posting a video of herself eating pork, a practice prohibited in Islam. Growing Concerns Among Activists
Human rights groups have condemned the arrest of Entok as another example of the law’s misuse. Usman Hamid, head of Amnesty Indonesia, stated that 120 blasphemy cases were recorded between 2018 and 2024, noting that “blasphemy laws often protect dominant interpretations of religious orthodoxy but can be invoked by any recognized religious group.”
Andreas Harsono, a researcher with Human Rights Watch Indonesia, labeled the laws “toxic,” adding, “This case marks a rare instance of Christians filing complaints against a Muslim. These laws should be repealed to prevent further harm.”
While some suggest Entok’s transgender identity may have influenced her arrest, LGBTQ+ activist Laelawati argued the backlash stemmed from the content of her comments rather than her gender identity. “As a public figure, she should have been aware of the consequences,” Laelawati said.
Calls for Reform
The case has prompted renewed calls for Indonesia to review its blasphemy laws. Activists and legal experts urge authorities to foster dialogue on religious tolerance and human rights, emphasizing the need to protect free expression in a diverse and pluralistic society.
As the case unfolds, Entok’s fate remains uncertain, but the debate surrounding Indonesia’s blasphemy laws continues to highlight the country’s complex intersection of religion, identity, and freedom of expression.