Indonesian podcaster Deddy Corbuzier apologises for gay couple video after backlash

Indonesian podcaster Deddy Corbuzier (pictured) has posted an apology video on Instagram after receiving backlash for a video podcast titled Tutorial on being gay in Indonesia he created featuring a gay couple. A quick check by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE found that the podcast has been taken down. Netizens said Corbruzier was trying to spread "deviancy", adding "when you post a video about deviant people, you indirectly you give space and opportunities for them." Since the incident, Twitter has been flooded with the hashtag #UnsubscribePodcastCorbuzier to urge others to boycott Corbruzier, with several calling him a "sinner".

Additionally, Corbruzier has updated his Instagram with a post to clarify false news circulating that he had lost nine million followers on Instagram, but admits he has lost a significant number of followers since he uploaded the podcast featuring the gay couple. 

Corbruzier has worked with brands such as Flimty Fiber Official, Under Armour and NVC Lighting Indonesia, in the past, and currently has a following of 11 million on Instagram. His content primarily covers issues on current affairs in Indonesia, ranging across, entertainment, scandals, healthcare and more.

A predominantly Muslim community, Indonesia has no national law against homosexuality other than the 1974 Marriage Law, which states that the only legally acknowledged marriage is between heterosexual couples. Indonesians are also aversive when it comes to homosexuality. According to a 2020 study by Pew Research Institute, only 9% of Indonesians agreed that homosexuality should be accepted by society. In comparison, its neighbouring country Philippines saw at least 70% of respondents in favour of accepting homosexuality.

Meanwhile, in 2018, #UninstallGoJek was trending online after a post written by one of Gojek's executives supporting LGBT diversity and inclusion made its rounds online, according to media reports online. The executive, who was GO-JEK’s vice president of operations and business development spoke then of how the company had launched an internal campaign called #GOingALLin, which was launched in light of Coming Out Day, The Jakarta Post reported. According to the publication, the executive said he was proud the company was taking a "non-discrimination policy toward the underrepresented group" such as the LGBT community. Following the saga, Gojek also released a statement on Twitter saying that the post was a “personal opinion and interpretation” of one of its employees about an internal event with the theme of diversity.  According to The Jakarta Post, the company also said it respected diversity but also “respected Indonesian values and culture”.