Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.
In Indonesia, new criminal provisions taking effect in 2026 will soon hold people legally accountable for animal-based insults that were once brushed off as jokes or casual remarks.
Online or offline, insults like “stupid” are common. Some go further by calling others “dog”, “pig”, or “monkey”. While such language may feel normalised today, it will soon come with serious legal consequences in Indonesia.
What is changing from 2 January 2026
From 2 January 2026, anyone who insults another person using animal-based slurs such as “dog” or “pig” may face:
- Up to six months in prison, or
- A fine of up to Rp10 million, roughly RM2,400
These penalties fall under Indonesia’s revised Criminal Code, the Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana (KUHP).
Even casual slang can be considered an offence
Slang terms like “anjir”, derived from “anjing” (dog), are widely used by Indonesian netizens, often jokingly or during online arguments.
Under the new KUHP, such expressions may no longer be seen as harmless banter. Even if meant as a joke, they can still be classified as minor insults.
Because of this, Indonesians are being urged to be more cautious with their words, whether speaking in person or posting online.
How the new law is different
Under the old KUHP, Article 315 allowed for:
- Up to four months and two weeks in jail
for intentional insults made verbally or in writing.
Under the new KUHP:
- Article 436 classifies non-defamatory insults as minor insults, which still carry penalties
- Article 433 covers defamation-related cases, with punishment of:
- Up to nine months in prison, or
- A fine of up to Rp10 million
Legal expert confirms animal-based insults are punishable
Criminal law expert Abdul Fickar Hadjar from Universitas Trisakti told Inside Lombok that legal action can indeed be taken against individuals who insult others using animal names.
He confirmed that such behaviour falls within the scope of verbal abuse under the revised law.
Police will act only if a complaint is made
According to Sulbar Update, insult cases are categorised as “delik aduan”, meaning action is taken only if the victim files a formal complaint.
The complainant must also provide evidence, such as:
- Audio or video recordings
- Screenshots or digital traces
- Witnesses who saw or heard the incident
In short, what once sounded like casual name-calling could soon lead to real legal trouble in Indonesia, turning everyday words into punishable offences.
