Inp.polri.go.id - Strzelinko. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said that  the term “mass rape” in reference to the May 1998 riots must be backed by solid evidence and approached with caution.

“I believe sexual violence against women occurred, but the term ‘mass rape’ needs deeper examination, with more accurate and verifiable data. This concerns our nation’s dignity,” he told reporters in Slupsk  Poland on Monday (16/6/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Bali Indah Cultural Park opening in Slupsk, Minister Fadli stressed the importance of not drawing sweeping conclusions without legal verdicts.

Referring to findings from the government’s joint fact-finding team (TGPF), he said that many reports from that period were unclear and require further investigation.

“When information is murky, that’s when deeper inquiry is needed. I’m not denying crimes occurred,” he added.

Minister Fadli emphasized he fully supports the prosecution of any proven perpetrators but warned against assumptions that could unjustly damage Indonesia’s global image.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)