Indonesian Tycoon Chairul Tanjung Faces Protest Over Trans7 Show Allegedly Insulting Islamic Schools

October 15, 2025 | 02:55 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Supporters of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), held a rally calling on CT Corp owner Chairul Tanjung to take responsibility for the Xpose Uncensored program aired on Trans7, which they say insulted religious leaders and Islamic boarding school students.

“We demand that Chairul Tanjung, as the Founder of CT Corp and CEO of Trans Corp, along with all Trans7 directors, take full responsibility by issuing a public apology, clarifying the issue, and making improvements to the program and its content production,” said Lukman Hakim Hamid, Secretary of the NU Jakarta Regional Leadership Board, while reading the protest’s demands on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

The protesters also urged the Press Council to revoke Trans7’s broadcasting license if the private television network refuses to remove Xpose Uncensored from its lineup.

In addition, they called on NU members, as well as families and alumni of Islamic boarding schools across Indonesia, to boycott all products and services under CT Corp.

“Boycott Trans Corp, including Trans TV and Trans7, until our demands are met,” Lukman declared.

Hundreds Join Peaceful Rally

The rally, titled “Strengthening Ties and Nurturing Trans7,” drew hundreds of boarding school alumni and NU supporters.

The demonstration, organized by NU leaders, began at around 10 a.m. Protesters wore traditional Islamic student attire: black skullcaps, white tunics, and batik sarongs, while carrying banners reading “Boycott Trans7.”

From atop a command vehicle, a speaker led chants demanding action against the television station. “Boycott, boycott, boycott Trans7!” the speaker shouted, echoed by the crowd.

The demonstrators accused Trans7 of demeaning Islamic boarding schools, claiming that the Xpose Uncensored program portrayed their traditions and culture in a negative light. The protesters also demanded that Chairul Tanjung personally meet them to address the issue.

“Chairul Tanjung, come out!” they chanted repeatedly.

Controversy Over Xpose Uncensored

The controversy stems from a segment of Xpose Uncensored that featured the Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School in East Java.

The program included a compilation of videos and images depicting interactions between students and religious leaders. One of its topics—“Wealthy Religious Leaders, But Congregants Give Envelopes”—was deemed insulting by many NU members, who said it misrepresented their community.

By noon, several protesters began dispersing. No representatives from Trans7 or CT Corp appeared to meet the demonstrators. A security coordinator at the site, who requested anonymity, said they were still awaiting instructions from the management.

“There have been no directives yet. We are still waiting,” the coordinator said.

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