Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of Culture Fadli Zon acknowledged the occurrence of rape incidents during the May 1998 riot. However, he firmly asserted that the rape cannot be considered as having occurred on a massive scale.

"Massive is very synonymous with structured and systematic," said Fadli during a working meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission X at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

He then compared it to the number of victims slaughtered by the Japanese army, which reached 200,000 people in Nanjing, China. Fadli also cited the mass cases in the massacre of Bosnian Muslim citizens, which he estimated to have claimed up to 50,000 lives.

Using these genocide cases, he stated that in order to conclude a case as a form of mass crime, it must be accurately documented. The former Deputy Speaker of the House claimed to have read the findings of the Joint Fact-Finding Team on the 1998 Riot and still doubted that the rape occurred on a massive scale.

Fadli claimed that he condemned all violence against women. "Only specifically earlier. If there is a slight difference of opinion regarding the wording (massive), in my opinion, we may need to document it more carefully in the future," he said.

The Gerindra politician also stated that he was not inclined to diminish or erase historical facts. He also stated that the group of perpetrators of rape should be punished as long as their identities can be traced.

"If for example the group, the perpetrators, can be traced. The problem is, it has not yet become a legal fact," he then said.

Fadli's statement was met with resistance from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Faction. Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives' Commission X, Maria Yohana Esti Wijayati, shed tears and interrupted Fadli Zon. Esti felt that Fadli lacked sensitivity to the incidents experienced by the victims of mass rape.

"The more Mr. Fadli Zon speaks, why does it feel more painful? Regarding rape, maybe it's better not to be discussed in this forum, Sir," said Esti.

She said that Fadli Zon was too focused on theory because he demanded proof and disregarded the testimony of the victims. "Your explanation, which is very theoretical like this, by saying that you were also an activist at that time, will only deepen the wounds," she said.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2023995/fadli-zon-claims-to-admit-may-1998-rape-but-doubts-mass-inciden