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| Idol Group JKT48 Faces Management Scandal Over Alleged Inappropriate Behaviour |
The JKT48 fandom is up in arms this week, and it’s all because of a birthday cake that’s sparked serious backlash against the group’s General Manager, Fritz Fernandez – known online as Fufuritsu.
A photo surfaced on social media showing Fritz posing with a birthday cake shaped like a male body part – yep, that kind. While it may have been meant as a cheeky joke among mates, fans weren’t laughing. The image immediately ignited a wave of criticism, with many calling it wildly inappropriate – especially considering JKT48 is a teen-focused idol group with members, past and present, who are minors.
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The hashtag #FufuritsuOut quickly shot up the trending charts on X (formerly Twitter), as JKT48 fans – known collectively as Wota – expressed their disappointment and concern. One post by @gigihprytn even featured protest posters with the blunt message: "Shame on you. #FufuritsuOut."
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Many netizens speculated that the cake wasn't just an isolated prank, but rather a glimpse into the kind of banter and mindset present within management.
“Mates don’t just give you a cake like that without a reason. If they did, it probably reflects the kind of stuff he usually jokes about,” one user wrote.
“No way his mates gave him that cake randomly. It tells you what kind of person he is and what the environment’s like,” another added.
But things didn’t stop at online chatter. The JKT48 fanbase took their frustration to a formal level by issuing an open letter addressed to multiple Indonesian child and women’s protection agencies, including KPAI (the Indonesian Child Protection Commission) and Komnas Perempuan (the National Commission on Violence Against Women).
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| via X/Kunkunkunklan |
In the letter, fans voiced serious concerns over the professionalism and judgement of the current management, especially in a workplace involving underage girls.
They described the incident as “unethical” and “not just unprofessional, but entirely inappropriate,” highlighting the need for a safer, more respectful environment behind the scenes.
siapa pun mas mas yg gw foto sambil megang banner ini sori foto ini gw pake buat bales postingan ini krn management kocak ini bobrok dan ada yg harus out #fufuritsuOUT pic.twitter.com/UE1sGYYwt0
— pertuan agung (@punyaguemoapalo) July 9, 2025
"As fans, we deeply appreciate the hard work of the JKT48 members, who are pursuing their dreams under intense pressure and public scrutiny. However, actions like this damage the group’s integrity and cast doubt on the moral standards of the management."
The statement urged relevant institutions to investigate potential breaches of ethical standards and child protection policies, and asked the media to help amplify the issue. Importantly, the fans clarified that this move isn’t about dragging anyone down for sport – it’s about holding leaders accountable and ensuring the safety and dignity of the girls involved.
Selamat malam, kawan-kawan!
— WOTANET MENFESS (@vvotanet) July 10, 2025
Dalam situasi yang cukup meresahkan kita semua sebagai Fans JKT48 dan dalam memaksimalkan perjuangan kita, sender ingin mengajak kepada kawan-kawan semua untuk;
(1) Bagi kawan-kawan yang akunnya mempunyai akses untuk mengirim fess ke akun base besar… pic.twitter.com/YwTEa9CpzX
So far, no official response has been released by Fritz Fernandez or JKT48 management. But with the heat piling up and public pressure only growing, it’s clear this isn’t going to blow over quietly.
As one fan put it:
"We’re not trying to cancel anyone. But if you’re leading a girl group with minors involved, you’ve got to be held to a higher standard. Full stop."
This situation is still developing – and fans are watching closely. Whether it ends in an apology, a resignation, or major policy changes behind the scenes, one thing’s for sure: the Wota community isn’t staying silent.