Once known for terrible crimes in Indonesia, Sumanto is now trying to change his life as a social media influencer. In 2003, he was arrested after police found the dismembered body of a pensioner in his home in Purbalingga, Central Java. It was revealed that Sumanto had eaten parts of this person and two others while working on a sugar cane plantation. He claimed that eating human flesh gave him special powers and blamed black magic for his actions.
Sumanto was called “Indonesia’s Hannibal Lecter” because of his shocking crimes. He spent only three years in prison, and when he got out, people in his community shunned him.
Fast forward almost 20 years later, Sumanto has re-entered the spotlight under the name “Sumanto Gereng Reborn.” He has over 18,000 followers on Instagram, where he posts inspirational quotes, funny videos, and cheerful content in Indonesian. Recently, he enjoyed a local dish in a post and asked viewers to leave funny comments.
His journey to becoming a content creator began last year when he was invited to a local event as a brand ambassador. A local foundation noticed his potential, created a social media account for him, and the public responded positively.
Now, Sumanto wants to show a kinder side of himself. Dr. Mulyasari of the An-Nur Haji Supono Mustajab Foundation says he is “better, funnier, kinder, and more humane.” Despite some people being unsure about his return, many have embraced his new persona. His posts now show him eating satay, exercising, and participating in village activities, surprising those who remember his dark past.
Leave a Reply