May 6, 2025 4:14 am
Full News

Transgender Influencer Arrested Under Indonesia’s Blasphemy Law

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.

Related News
EU Fines Meta $840 Million for Antitrust Violations Tied to Facebook Marketplace
Pakistani Mahira Khan Responds to Criticism Over Shah Rukh Khan
US-Ukraine Minerals Deal Talks Begin Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Anyone thinking about reorganizing the Awami League?
Case Filed Against Chinmoy Krishna Brahmachari and Followers in Chittagong
Indian Foreign Secretary Briefs Lawmakers on Bangladesh Visit
Related Posts
Registration of 118,000 Newly Arrived Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar—No Space Left in Camps
Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Possible “At Any Moment
Pakistan Accuses India of Violating Indus Waters Treaty, Prepares Formal Notice
India Suspends Indus Water Treaty Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan
Myanmar Junta May Weaponize Nuclear Power Plant, Warns UN Envoy
India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate Following Pahalgam Attack
More News

10 Things LGBTQ Families Can Do to Find Strength in 2025

Nafis Sadique Shatil As we step into 2025, LGBTQ families face a mix of challenges and opportunities. While societal progress has brought greater visibility and inclusion, backlash and censorship have created new obstacles. This article explores ten ways LGBTQ families can find strength, build resilience, and foster joy in the year ahead. Books have always […]

Vandalism and Looting at Homes of Former Presidents, Ministers, MPs, Army Chiefs, Journalists, Awami League Leaders, and Police Officers in Bangladesh

Bangladesh seems to have turned into a land of death, with extreme chaos prevailing across the country. Law enforcement agencies, seemingly backed by the state, are maintaining a deafening silence. Mob justice is rampant, allegedly orchestrated by Pakistan’s intelligence agency, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and the Interim Government’s Chief Advisor, Professor Dr. […]

Indian Diplomat to Visit Bangladesh Amid Rising Tensions

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will visit Bangladesh on Monday amid worsening relations between the two nations. Tensions have escalated since the July unrest that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose 15-year rule was backed by New Delhi. Hasina, now in India, faces extradition demands from Dhaka, further straining ties.Interim head of the government […]

Labour Party’s Goal for 1.5 Million Homes by 2029: UK Faces Workforce Shortage

The UK faces a significant shortage of construction workers, jeopardizing the government’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029, industry experts warn.Tens of thousands of skilled workers are urgently needed in areas such as bricklaying, carpentry, and groundworks, according to the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and housebuilding giant Barratt Redrow. They attribute the […]

Thanos Returning in New Avengers Movie

Josh Brolin has addressed the possibility of Thanos returning in ‌‘Avengers: Secret Wars’, also known as ‘Avengers 6’. Scheduled for release on May 7, 2027, this upcoming film will cap off Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, marking the finale of The Multiverse Saga. In an interview with Collider during New York Comic Con, […]

Israeli Troops Withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor, Dividing Gaza

Israel has withdrawn its troops from the Netzarim Corridor, which separates northern Gaza from southern Gaza. Following the withdrawal of Israeli forces on Sunday, thousands of Palestinians have begun returning to northern Gaza in vehicles, carrying their belongings. According to the British news outlet BBC, Israeli troops were withdrawn from the Netzarim Corridor as part […]

Canada Nearly Halves Visas for Bangladeshis

Canada has seen a sharp decline in the number of asylum applications from around the world. The country’s immigration authorities have tightened visa regulations and introduced legal complexities, leading to a drop in refugee applications. Lawyers have expressed concern that even legitimate asylum seekers are being denied visas. According to Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board, […]

Zelensky Calls on Allies to Fulfill Promises of Arms Supply

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged his allies to fulfill their promises of supplying arms to Ukraine, particularly the defense equipment pledged to counter Russian airstrikes. British news agency Reuters reported this. In a statement on Sunday, Zelensky revealed that Russian forces launched hundreds of attacks on Ukraine over the past week. These assaults involved […]

Over 7,000 Killed in Deadly Conflict in Congo

More than 7,000 people have been killed in violent clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since January. A significant number of the victims are civilians, according to reports. Congo’s Prime Minister, Judith Suminwa, stated that over 7,000 people have died in the fighting in the country’s eastern region. Among them, a substantial number […]

Princess Diana’s Secret Dance Teacher to Star in Upcoming Documentary

A fascinating new documentary is in the works, revealing a side of Princess Diana that few knew about. Based on the memoir Dancing With Diana, the film will explore the princess’s close relationship with her secret dance teacher, Anne Allan, a Scottish/Canadian dancer who co-choreographed Diana’s iconic ‘Uptown Girl’ routine at Covent Garden in 1985. […]