JKT48’s Full House concert, held on Saturday, 26 July 2025 at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, delivered an unexpected twist that has since sparked widespread discussion. For the first time in the group’s history, a major concert concluded without an encore. Usually, JKT48’s major concert ends with the fans chanting the “encore” chant, followed by an encore performance from the group.
The absence of an encore was not due to technical difficulties, but rather a deliberate act of protest. Two major fan groups, Alliance Regional and ONE Alliance 48, had issued a joint statement on 18 July 2025, announcing their decision to withhold encore chants as a form of protest towards JKT48’s management. The move reflects growing discontent over what fans perceive as a disregard for their voices and feedback.
A key source of frustration is the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the investigation into a controversy involving Fritz Fernandez, the currently inactive General Manager of JKT48. The controversy started when a controversial photo from Fernandez’s birthday celebration circulated on social media, where he is seen holding a cake shaped like male genitalia. Because of this, JKT48’s fans voiced their concern over the safety, ethics, and talent mismanagement under Fernandez.
JKT48 management issued a response on 12 July 2025, claiming that no members were present at the event. However, digital evidence suggested otherwise. Many fans feel their concerns have gone unheard, and chose silence as the form of protest.
Despite the controversy, the performance itself remained strong from beginning to end. The final song, Green Flash, concluded with the members exiting the stage not with cheers, but with a silence.
JKT48 is a sister group of the Japanese idol group AKB48. Formed in 2011, JKT48 is based at the FX Sudirman Theatre, South Jakarta. The group has previously released Indonesian versions of songs from 48 Family of idol groups, as well as some original songs.
The Indonesian Anime Times
