In a case that has ignited discussions on free speech, blasphemy laws, and religious sensitivity, a TikTok influencer in Indonesia has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for a remark about Jesus needing a haircut.
The sentencing of Ratu Thalisa, a transgender Muslim woman with a following of nearly 450,000 on TikTok, has drawn attention from international news outlets and social media platforms alike, highlighting the complexities of navigating humor and religion in a country with strict legal protections for faith.
According to The Mirror US, Ratu Thalisa was found guilty by a court in North Sumatra province of violating Indonesia’s blasphemy laws.
The charges stemmed from a TikTok video in which she held up a picture of Jesus Christ and quipped, “You should not look like a woman. You should cut your hair so that you will look like his father.”
The comment, intended as a jest, quickly escalated into a legal battle after five Christian groups filed complaints, accusing her of blasphemy and disrupting “public order” and “religious harmony.”
Thalisa was sentenced to two years and ten months in prison and ordered to pay a fine of approximately $6,200.
The BBC World reported on the incident as well, noting that the case reflects Indonesia’s ongoing enforcement of its controversial blasphemy laws.
The outlet contextualized the sentencing by referencing a similar case in September 2023, where a Muslim woman received a two-year sentence for reciting a Muslim prayer before eating pork—an act deemed offensive to Islamic norms.
These incidents underscore the legal risks Indonesians face when their online content is perceived to challenge religious sensibilities, a recurring theme in the nation’s judicial system.
The story gained further traction through posts on X, where users expressed a mix of outrage, support, and disbelief.
One post by @OliLondonTV highlighted Thalisa’s identity as a transgender influencer and framed the sentencing as a punishment for “spreading hatred,” aligning with the court’s stated reasoning.
Meanwhile, @AnnColl02782394 celebrated the decision, writing, “Finally – about time a stand was made for Christianity. Good for Indonesia,” reflecting a sentiment among some that the ruling defends religious values.
This is not an isolated incident in Indonesia, a country known for its diverse religious landscape but also its strict legal stance on blasphemy.
As The Mirror US noted, another TikToker faced arrest in 2024 for posting a quiz asking children what animals could read the Quran, further illustrating the breadth of actions that can trigger legal repercussions.
Indonesia’s blasphemy laws, enshrined in its penal code, have long been a point of contention, with critics arguing they stifle free expression and disproportionately target marginalized voices.
Internationally, the case has sparked debate about the balance between freedom of speech and respect for religious beliefs.
While some view Thalisa’s comment as a harmless joke, others see it as a disrespectful jab at a revered figure in Christianity, a religion practiced by a significant minority in Indonesia.
The hefty sentence—nearly three years for a single offhand remark—has led to questions about proportionality and the role of social media in amplifying both humor and offense.
The fine print of Thalisa’s punishment adds another layer to the story.
Alongside her prison term, the $6,200 fine is a substantial sum in a country where the average monthly wage is far lower, potentially compounding the hardship she faces.
Neither The Mirror US nor BBC World reported on whether Thalisa plans to appeal the verdict, leaving her next steps uncertain as of April 5, 2025.
