Fadli Zon

Fadli was born in Jakarta on 1 June 1971, the eldest of three children of Zon Harjo and Ellyda Yatim, both from Minangkabau in West Sumatra.{{cite news|title=PROFIL Fadli Zon, SS, M.Sc|url=https://www.viva.co.id/siapa/read/174-fadli-zon|accessdate=17 January 2018|publisher=PT. Viva Media Baru}} His father died when Fadli was a teenager.

Growing up in Cisarua, Bogor, Fadli attended Cibeureum 3 State Elementary School. From 1984 to 1986, he attended State Junior High School 1 Cisarua in Gadog, Bogor, before moving to Fajar Jakarta Junior High School (1986–1987).{{cite news |last1=Gunadha |first1=Reza |title=Fadli Zon Terpilih Menjadi Ketua BKSAP DPR RI, Ini Profilnya |url=https://www.suara.com/news/2019/11/05/161715/fadli-zon-terpilih-menjadi-ketua-bksap-dpr-ri-ini-profilnya |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=Suara.com |date=5 November 2019}} Subsequently, he attended State Senior High School 31 Jakarta in East Jakarta for two years (1987–1989), before receiving a scholarship from American Field Service to study from 1989 to 1990 at Harlandale High School in San Antonio, Texas, the United States, where he graduated summa cum laude.{{cite news |last1=Garjito |first1=Dany |title=Nostalgia, Fadli Zon Kenang Masa SMA, Lulus dengan Nilai Tertinggi |url=https://www.suara.com/news/2020/06/06/100025/nostalgia-fadli-zon-kenang-masa-sma-lulus-dengan-nilai-tertinggi |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=Suara.com |date=6 June 2020}}

Later, Fadli studied Russian literature at the University of Indonesia. He was active in various organizations, both on and off campus. He chaired the Student Senate Education Bureau of the University of Indonesia's Faculty of Letters (FSUI) from 1992 to 1993. He was General Secretary of the FSUI Student Senate (1993) and chaired the Student Senate Committee on External Relations (1993–1994). He was also a member of the university's Literary Theater. Off campus, he was Secretary General and President of the Indonesian Students Association for International Studies (ISAFIS) from 1993 to 1995. He was on the central committee of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI) from 1996 to 1999, as well as the central committee of the Islamic Youth Movement (1996–1999), and was a member of the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace (ACRP) in 1996.

In 1994, Fadli was named Mawapres I (Student Achievement I for most outstanding student) of the University of Indonesia{{cite news |title=Potret Jadul 10 Politisi Indonesia saat Muda |url=https://kumparan.com/berita_viral/potret-jadul-10-politisi-indonesia-saat-muda-1udeptZZ4dP/4 |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=Kumparan.com |date=23 November 2020}} and Student Achievement III at the national level. In the same year, he led the Indonesian student delegation at the ASEAN Varsities Debate IV in Malaysia.

In 2002, he attended the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) under the guidance of John Harriss and Robert Wade. He received a Master's of Science (M.Sc) in Development Studies from LSE. In 2016, he earned a doctoral degree from the Department of History, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, University of Indonesia.

While still a student, from 1990 to 1991, Fadli contributed to two Islam-oriented publications, Tabloid IQRA, which had been known for publishing derogatory statements on Hinduism, and Suara Hidayatullah magazine.{{cite book | author = Martin Ramstedt | date = 28 June 2005 | title = Hinduism in Modern Indonesia | publisher = Routledge | pages = 88– | isbn = 978-1-135-79052-3 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-rBhGEN0RyYC&pg=PA88}} He had been invited to contribute to the publications by journalist Dzikrullah W. Pramudya, one of his former high school classmates. Fadli's first article, an interview with Lukman Harun of the Muhammadiyah Muslim organization, was published by Tabloid IQRA.{{cite news |last1=Kelana |first1=Irwan |title=Fahri Hamzah dan Fadli Zon Silaturahim di Hidayatullah |url=https://www.republika.co.id/berita/dunia-islam/islam-nusantara/18/11/26/pire7p313-fahri-hamzah-dan-fadli-zon-silaturahim-di-hidayatullah |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=Republika.co.id |date=26 November 2018}} In 1990–91, Fadli also wrote for two youth-oriented magazines, Nona and Hai. In 1991, he contributed to Harian Terbit daily newspaper. From 1992 to 1994, he was an editor of Gema Angkatan 45, a politics magazine.

In 1993, he joined the editorial board of Horison literary magazine. From 1995 to 1996, he was an editor of fortnightly political news magazine Tajuk. In 1997, he became chief editor of Visi journal. In 2007, he joined the editorial board of Tani Merdeka magazine, and in 2011 he was editor-in-chief of Tabloid Gema Indonesia Raya.{{cite news |last1=Fatimah |first1=Susi |title=Fadli Zon, Wakil Ketua DPR dari Dunia Jurnalis |url=https://news.okezone.com/read/2014/10/02/339/1047217/fadli-zon-wakil-ketua-dpr-dari-dunia-jurnalis |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=Okezone |date=2 October 2014}}

After graduating in 1997, Fadli was appointed to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), at that time the nation's top legislative assembly, as a representative of youth groups. In March 1998, the MPR unanimously re-elected then-president Suharto for a seventh term, despite rising anti-government protests throughout the country. After Suharto was forced to resign in May 1998, the country held free elections in 1999, after which Fadli lost his seat in the MPR.

Following the fall of Suharto, Fadli was one of the founders of the Islam-based Crescent Star Party and briefly became one of its chairmen, but he resigned in 2001.

In November 2007, Fadli met businessman Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the younger brother of Prabowo Subianto.{{cite news|title=Profil Fadli Zon|url=https://profil.merdeka.com/indonesia/f/fadli-zon/|accessdate=22 August 2017|agency=Merdeka|language=Indonesian}} Hashim, Fadli and Prabowo, then a member of Golkar, formed Gerindra in December 2007 and the party participated in the 2009 elections, winning 4.46% of the votes and gaining 26 seats in parliament. Fadli himself did not gain a seat, receiving 11,077 votes in West Sumatra's electoral district 2, where the seat-winner received 21,348 votes.{{cite web|title=Laporan Penghitungan Suara Pileg 2009|url=http://www.kpu.go.id/koleksigambar/06._Laporan_Penghitungan_Suara_Pileg-ilovepdf-compressed_.pdf|publisher=General Elections Commission|accessdate=22 August 2017|page=50|language=Indonesian|archive-date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822221102/http://www.kpu.go.id/koleksigambar/06._Laporan_Penghitungan_Suara_Pileg-ilovepdf-compressed_.pdf|url-status=dead}}

In the 2014 elections he ran again for parliament, this time in a West Java electoral district, where he received 79,074 votes, securing himself a seat in the House of Representatives. He was appointed as Deputy Speaker of the House for the 2014-2019 period. He served as Acting Speaker of the House in 2015–2016 and 2017–2018. He has led delegations of Indonesian legislators at various international, regional and bilateral forums.

In the 2019 General Election, he was re-elected as a member of parliament, and appointed chairman of the House Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation for the 2019–2024 period, as well as a member of the House commission on Defense, Foreign Affairs and Information. He was reelected for a third term in the 2024 general election with 149,258 votes.{{cite news |last1=Muliawati |first1=Anggi |title=Fadli Zon hingga Adian Napitupulu Lolos DPR di Dapil Jabar V |url=https://news.detik.com/pemilu/d-7251451/fadli-zon-hingga-adian-napitupulu-lolos-dpr-di-dapil-jabar-v |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=detiknews |date=20 March 2024 |language=id-ID}}

He has been Vice Chairman of Gerindra Party Central Board and Vice Chair of Gerindra Supreme Leadership Council since 2008, and is currently serving for the 2020–2025 period.

After Joko Widodo's victory over Prabowo in the presidential elections, Gerindra formed an opposition coalition named Koalisi Merah Putih (Red and White Coalition), which initially held a parliamentary majority, comprising Gerindra, the PKS, the PAN, the PPP, and Golkar.{{cite news|last1=Iskandar|first1=Sherly|title=Deklarasi Koalisi Merah Putih DKI, PKS teriak Prabowo presiden!|url=https://www.merdeka.com/politik/deklarasi-koalisi-merah-putih-dki-pks-teriak-prabowo-presiden.html|accessdate=22 August 2017|agency=Merdeka|date=11 November 2014|language=Indonesian}}{{cite news|last1=Parlina|first1=Ina|title=Groups press ahead to challenge controversial Pilkada Law|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/10/13/groups-press-ahead-challenge-controversial-pilkada-law.html|accessdate=22 August 2017|agency=The Jakarta Post|date=13 October 2014}} Fadli frequently criticized Widodo's policies, from a ban on ministerial-level officials to speak in parliament,{{cite news|last1=Putra|first1=Putu Merta Surya|title=Fadli Zon: 3 Kali Tak Datang ke DPR, Menteri Bisa Dipanggil Paksa|url=http://news.liputan6.com/read/2139509/fadli-zon-3-kali-tak-datang-ke-dpr-menteri-bisa-dipanggil-paksa|accessdate=22 August 2017|agency=Liputan6|date=26 November 2014|language=Indonesian}} an alleged lèse-majesté case against a satay seller,{{cite news|last1=Perdani|first1=Yuliasri|agency=The Jakarta Post|date=1 November 2014|title=Gerindra lends support to Jokowi critic|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/11/01/gerindra-lends-support-jokowi-critic.html|accessdate=22 August 2017}} to the revocation of national fuel subsidies.{{cite news|last1=Arnaz|first1=Farouk|title=Fadli Zon: Kenaikan BBM Menyengsarakan Rakyat|url=http://www.beritasatu.com/politik/225996-fadli-zon-kenaikan-bbm-menyengsarakan-rakyat.html|accessdate=22 August 2017|agency=BeritaSatu|date=18 November 2014|language=Indonesian}}

In December 2015, when Setya Novanto resigned from his position as House speaker upon facing a corruption charge related to Freeport-McMoRan, Fadli briefly took up the speaker's position until Golkar assigned Ade Komaruddin as a replacement.{{cite news|last1=Stefanie|first1=Christie|title=Fadli Zon Jadi Pelaksana Tugas Ketua DPR|url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/politik/20151218105300-32-99064/fadli-zon-jadi-pelaksana-tugas-ketua-dpr/|accessdate=22 August 2017|agency=CNN Indonesia|date=18 December 2015|language=Indonesian}} In 2016, Komaruddin was removed from the position due to ethical misconduct and Novanto returned as speaker.{{cite news|last1=Tashandra|first1=Nabilla|title=Setya Novanto Dilantik Jadi Ketua DPR Tanpa Dihadiri Ade Komarudin|url=http://nasional.kompas.com/read/2016/11/30/20370031/setya.novanto.dilantik.jadi.ketua.dpr.tanpa.dihadiri.ade.komarudin|accessdate=22 August 2017|agency=Kompas|date=30 November 2016|language=Indonesian}} Novanto was again implicated in another corruption case in 2017, and Fadli once more was appointed as acting speaker in late 2017.{{cite news|last1=Sasongko|first1=Joko Panji|title=Fadli Zon Resmi Jadi Plt Ketua DPR Gantikan Setnov|url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20171211201351-32-261668/fadli-zon-resmi-jadi-plt-ketua-dpr-gantikan-setnov/|accessdate=11 December 2017|work=CNN Indonesia|date=11 December 2017|language=id}} Fadli had sent a letter to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in 2017, asking it to suspend its criminal investigation into Setya Novanto, who was later tried and jailed for corruption. Anti-corruption activists reported Fadli to the House’s ethics council, alleging he had abused his position in an effort to help Setya. Fadli said he sent the letter in his capacity as a member of the public and not as a deputy House speaker.{{cite news |last1=Aritonang |first1=Msrgareth S. |title=Fadli Zon could lose position after asking KPK to halt Setya investigation |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/09/14/fadli-zon-could-lose-position-after-asking-kpk-to-halt-setya-investigation.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=The Jakarta Post |date=14 September 2017}}

In 2015, Fadli and House Speaker Setya Novanto caused controversy by attending a press conference in the United States of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. The two were accused of receiving graft (in form of Trump campaign accessories, which were seized by the Corruption Eradication Commission) and of misrepresenting the position of the legislative body.{{cite news|last1=Michaels|first1=Samantha|title=How a Donald Trump hat got two Indonesian politicians in deep trouble|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/09/why-was-donald-trump-hat-confiscated-indonesian-anti-graft-agency/|accessdate=22 August 2017|work=Mother Jones|date=22 September 2015}} The two were later reprimanded for violating the House's code of conduct.{{cite news|last1=Ihsanuddin|title=MKD Putuskan Novanto-Fadli Langgar Kode Etik Ringan|url=http://nasional.kompas.com/read/2015/10/19/16311181/MKD.Putuskan.Novanto-Fadli.Langgar.Kode.Etik.Ringan.|accessdate=22 August 2017|agency=Kompas|date=19 October 2015|language=Indonesian}}

On 30 March 2018, in the run-up to Indonesia's 2019 presidential election, Fadli posted on Twitter that Indonesia needed a leader like Russian President Vladimir Putin. "If you want us to rise and be victorious, Indonesia needs a leader like Vladimir Putin: brave, visionary, intelligent, wise, not too many debts, not clueless," he tweeted. He then suggested Prabowo would be the such a leader: "PUTIN can also be an abbreviation for PRABOWO UNTUK INDONESIA [Prabowo for Indonesia]. God willing he will help Indonesia rise up instead of going bankrupt."{{cite news |last1=Dalimunthe |first1=Ihsan |title=Fadli Zon: Putin itu Bisa Disingkat Prabowo Untuk Indonesia |url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20180331193202-32-287294/fadli-zon-putin-itu-bisa-disingkat-prabowo-untuk-indonesia |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=CNN Indonesia |date=31 March 2018}} Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) official Andreas Hugo Pareira responded to Fadli's stance by suggesting that he “just move to Russia”.{{cite news |title=Former Trump fanboy Fadli Zon now says Indonesia needs a Putin-like leader, and it's Prabowo |url=https://coconuts.co/jakarta/news/former-trump-fanboy-fadli-zon-now-says-indonesia-needs-putin-like-leader-prabowo/ |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=Coconuts Jakarta |date=2 April 2018}}

On 5 February 2019, Fadli tweeted an apology to the Russian Embassy in Jakarta, after Jokowi had complained that rival presidential candidate Prabowo was trying to win the election by using a “Russian propaganda” misinformation strategy, aided by foreign consultants, to divide the nation. Fadli tweeted: "I beg forgiveness for the statement of President @jokowi, which was hasty."{{cite news |last1=Retaduari |first1=Elza Astari |title=Fadli Zon Minta Maaf ke Kedubes Rusia karena Jokowi, TKN: Lebay |url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-4415011/fadli-zon-minta-maaf-ke-kedubes-rusia-karena-jokowi-tkn-lebay |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=detikcom |date=5 February 2019}}

On 12 March 2018, Fadli and fellow House of Representatives Deputy Chairman Fahri Hamzah were reported to Jakarta Police for allegedly spreading fake news and hate-speech on Twitter. Muhammad Rizki reported the pair for re-tweeting fake news from Jawa Pos online. Jawa Pos later clarified and removed the report, whereas Fadli and Fachri had kept the fake news. The report had falsely claimed the head of a fake news organization called Muslim Cyber Army was a supporter of Basuki Tjahaja 'Ahok' Purnama, the former Jakarta governor who was jailed after being convicted of insulting Islam. Rizki accused the deputy speakers of violating Indonesia's Law on Electronic Information and Transactions.{{cite news|last1=Rahma|first1=Andita|title=Fahri Hamzah, Fadli Zon Face Lawsuit For Allegedly Spread Hoax|url=https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2018/03/13/055916568/Fahri-Hamzah-Fadli-Zon-Face-Lawsuit-For-Allegedly-Spread-Hoax|accessdate=13 March 2018|publisher=Tempo.co|date=13 March 2018}} Gerindra responded by saying it was ready to provide Fadli with legal assistance and called on police to be fair in handling the case.{{cite news|last1=Sasongko|first1=Joko Panji|title=Gerindra Beri Bantuan Hukum ke Fadli Zon Soal Cuitan MCA|url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20180313062659-32-282488/gerindra-beri-bantuan-hukum-ke-fadli-zon-soal-cuitan-mca|accessdate=13 March 2018|publisher=CNN Indonesia|date=13 March 2018}}

Between 1999 and 2007, Fadli was on the boards of directors of several energy and agricultural companies. He was director of business development for PT Tidar Kerinci Agung, which operates in the palm oil sector. He was director of rice company PT Padi Nusantara. He was a director general of Golden Spike Energy Indonesia Ltd, a private oil and gas company. Fadli has also chaired the Indonesian Farmers' Association (HKTI).{{cite news |title=Fadli Zon, Jadi Jurnalis Sampai Wakil DPR |url=https://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2014/10/02/fadli-zon-jurnalis-huru-hara-sampai-wakil-dpr |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=Tribunnews.com |date=2 October 2014}}

During the 1997–98 Asian financial crisis, Fadli was among Indonesian politicians who sought to blame the nation's financial problems on its ethnic Chinese minority. His sentiments were recorded in an interview conducted by Margot Cohen of Far Eastern Economic Review, published in February 1998:

{{Blockquote

|text=Fadli Zon has a vision. The former student activist imagines his countrymen cycling slowly down Jakarta's Jalan Thamrin, a central boulevard normally choked with cars. Instead of Western clothes, everyone will be wearing sarongs made of rough cloth. "If necessary, we'll go backwards 10 or 15 years," he says fervently. "The Muslim majority is ready to face any challenge, as long as there is economic justice. We can start to develop our country without them." To Fadli, a rising young thinker and editor, "them" refers to Indonesia's tiny ethnic-Chinese minority, which he holds responsible for the country's deepening economic crisis. If "they" don't return their wealth parked overseas, he warns, it's payback time. Time for the 87% Muslim majority to seize the reins of an economy from a community that accounts for a mere 3% of the country's 200 million people. Time to construct a New Economic Policy that could go further than the Malaysian model in promoting the indigenous race. Time, too, for the military to help assert the rights of the nation's Muslims.{{cite book | author1 = Kuan-Hsing Chen | author2 = Beng Huat Chua | date = 22 April 2015 | title = The Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Reader | publisher = Routledge | pages =515 | isbn = 978-1-134-08396-1 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=q4d4CAAAQBAJ&pg=PT581}}}}

In May 1998, Jakarta was hit by deadly mass riots in which the ethnic Chinese were targeted and dozens of females were raped and some murdered.{{cite book | author = Timothy Lindsey | date = 2008 | title = Indonesia, Law and Society | publisher = Federation Press | pages = 520– | isbn = 978-1-86287-660-6 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VaLzpe5pK9cC&pg=PA520}} In his book on the riots, Fadli suggests the rapes did not occur:

{{Blockquote

|text="... we almost certainly come to the conclusion that the rapes (especially the mass rapes) were unlikely to have happened in a situation like the May 1998 turmoil. Psychologically, how could men commit rape under conditions like that? Besides, there is no strong evidence showing cases of rape committed by Muslims toward Chinese women."{{cite book | author = Fadli Zon | date = 2004 | title = The Politics of the May 1998 Riots | publisher = Solstice Pub. | pages = | isbn = 9789799796486 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aYm6AAAAIAAJ}}}}

His position against acknowledging the mass rapes have come under fire again during his term as Culture Minister in June 2025 when he made controversial statements that the events were just “rumors”. He would later soften his stances saying that in order to acknowledge the mass rapes, the proof that such incidents happened must be carefully studied and accurate evidences are needed because it concerns with national pride. He also stated that if sufficient evidence shows that mass rapes happened, he will support persecution against the perpetrators.{{Cite web |last=Zulfikar |first=Muhammad |date=2025-06-17 |title=Fadli Zon: Istilah massal kasus perkosaan Mei 1998 butuh bukti akurat |url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/4904281/fadli-zon-istilah-massal-kasus-perkosaan-mei-1998-butuh-bukti-akurat |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=Antara News |language=id}} This statement was however reacted negatively especially by Chinese Indonesians who considers the statement as a betrayal and opening of old wounds.{{Cite web |title=Warga Tionghoa Desak Fadli Zon Minta Maaf soal Pernyataan Pemerkosaan Mei 1998 |url=https://www.msn.com/id-id/berita/nasional/warga-tionghoa-desak-fadli-zon-minta-maaf-soal-pernyataan-pemerkosaan-mei-1998/ar-AA1GJEXH |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=www.msn.com}} It was also heavily criticized by the Civil Society Coalition, National Awakening Party, Indonesian Students Union - Netherlands and Amnesty International Indonesia.{{Cite web |title=Minister Fadli Zon's Remarks on 1998 Mass Rapes Spark Condemnation - News En.tempo.co |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/2017501/minister-fadli-zons-remarks-on-1998-mass-rapes-spark-condemnation |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=en.tempo.co}}{{Cite web |date=17 June 2025 |title=Ramai-ramai Kecam Fadli Zon yang Sanggah Ada Pemerkosaan Massal 1998 |url=https://www.tempo.co/politik/ramai-ramai-kecam-fadli-zon-yang-sanggah-ada-pemerkosaan-massal-1998--1725371 |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=Tempo |language=id}} In response to the criticism, Fadli Zon refused to apologize for his remarks and said that differing opinions are welcomed and he can give additional contexts to his stance.{{Cite web |title=Tolak Minta Maaf soal Pemerkosaan Massal Mei 1998, Fadli Zon: Silakan Saja Berbeda Pendapat |url=https://www.kompas.tv/nasional/599999/tolak-minta-maaf-soal-pemerkosaan-massal-mei-1998-fadli-zon-silakan-saja-berbeda-pendapat |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=Kompas.tv |language=id}} He then clarified about his doubts that the rapes on Chinese Indonesians during the riots, saying that the mass rape is not in the scale happened during the Nanjing Massacre conducted by Imperial Japan, therefore cannot be qualified as such.{{Cite news |last=Sutrisna |first=Tria |last2=Carina |first2=Jessi |date=2 July 2025 |title=Penjelasan Fadli Zon Ragukan Pemerkosaan 1998 Berlangsung Massal: Jangan Kita Masuk Narasi Adu Domba |url=https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/07/02/14513121/penjelasan-fadli-zon-ragukan-pemerkosaan-1998-berlangsung-massal-jangan-kita |access-date=2 July 2025 |work=Kompas |language=id}} His clarification received criticisms from Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle members during a hearing on Fadli Zon's plan to rewrite Indonesia's history.{{Cite web |title=Dikritik Habis DPR, Fadli Zon Tetap Ragukan Pemerkosaan Terjadi Secara Massal saat Kerusuhan 1998 |url=https://www.merdeka.com/peristiwa/dikritik-habis-dpr-fadli-zon-tetap-ragukan-pemerkosaan-terjadi-secara-massal-saat-kerusuhan-1998-434862-mvk.html |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=merdeka.com |language=en}}

Fadli is a strident opponent of former Jakarta governor Ahok, who is of ethnic Chinese descent. Ahok was a member of Gerindra Party, which in 2012 had nominated him for the deputy governorship of Jakarta, a position to which he was elected that year. Ahok went on to become governor of Jakarta in October 2014, when Joko Widodo defeated Gerindra founder Prabowo in the presidential election. Ahok quit from the Gerindra in 2014 to protest the party's effort to scrap direct regional elections. Ahok's stance resulted in Fadli declaring Gerindra would not support him when he sought re-election in 2017.{{cite news |title=Definitely No Support for Ahok: Fadli Zon |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/791436/definitely-no-support-for-ahok-fadli-zon |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=Tempo.co |date=28 July 2016}} In 2016, Fadli joined a 4 November rally demanding Ahok be jailed for alleged blasphemy against Islam. He also wrote a poem titled “Poem for the Blasphemer”, which accused the subject of destroying diversity, disrupting religious harmony and being a traitor to Pancasila.{{cite news |last1=Mardiastuti |first1=Aditya |date=2 February 2017 |title=Fadli Zon Tulis Puisi 'Sajak Sang Penista' |url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-3412480/fadli-zon-tulis-puisi-sajak-sang-penista |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=detikcom}}

Fadli holds several positions in international and regional organizations. He is the Vice Chair of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) and Vice President of the League of Parliamentarians for Al Quds, and Chair of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC). Previously, he was the President of GOPAC for the 2015–2017 and 2017–2019 periods.

Fadli chaired the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) for the 2015–2020 and was retained as chairman for the 2020–2025 period. He is chairman of the Indonesia Philatelic Association for the 2017–2022 period, and chaired the Indonesia Keris Society for the 2016–2021 period. He is chairman of the Islamic Cultural Arts Association (HSBI), the oldest Islamic cultural arts organization in Indonesia.

• Head of the Indonesian House of Representatives Delegation to the 14th Conference Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC), Rabat, Morocco, 11 – 15 March 2019;
• Head of the Indonesian House of Representatives Delegation on a Working Visit to Egypt, 5 – 10 March 2019;
• Head of the Indonesian House of Representatives Delegation to the 27th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), Seam Reap, Cambodia, 13 – 18 January 2019;
• Head of the Indonesian House of Representatives Delegation on a Working Visit to Malaysia, 19 December 2018;
• Head of the Indonesian House of Representatives Delegation on a Working Visit to Thailand, 30 November – 2 December 2018;
• Head of the Indonesian House of Representatives Delegation on a Working Visit to United Kingdom, 13 – 20 November 2018;

Fadli established the Fadli Zon Library in Jakarta in 2008.{{cite web|title=Fadli Zon Library|url=http://www.fadlizonlibrary.com/|accessdate=22 August 2017}} According to the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI), it is the country's largest private library and also includes Indonesia's "most complete" coin and stamp collections.{{Cite web|title=Fadli Zon Library Kembali Terima Rekor MURI|url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-2051015/fadli-zon-library-kembali-terima-rekor-muri|access-date=2021-03-09|website=detiknews|language=id-ID}} Fadli has also established the Fadli Zon Cultural House in Tanah Datar, West Sumatra; the Fadli Zon Creative House in Depok, West Java; and the Sundanese Cultural Village in Bogor, West Java. He has received 30 MURI records for his collections and other cultural activities.

Fadli has a large collection of traditional kris daggers and chaired the Indonesian National Kris Secretariat for the 2016–2021 term.{{cite news|last1=Retaduari|first1=Elza Astari|title=Wujud Keris 'Raja' Milik Fadli Zon yang Dipamerkan di DPR|url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-3447864/wujud-keris-raja-milik-fadli-zon-yang-dipamerkan-di-dpr|accessdate=22 August 2017|work=detiknews|agency=Detik|date=15 March 2017|language=Indonesian}}{{cite news|last1=Ratomo|first1=Unggul Tri|title=Fadli Zon Terpilih Jadi Ketua Umum Perkerisan Nasional Indonesia|url=http://nasional.kompas.com/read/2016/11/13/12124481/fadli.zon.terpilih.jadi.ketua.umum.perkerisan.nasional.indonesia|accessdate=22 August 2017|agency=Kompas|language=Indonesian}}

Fadli is married to Katharine Grace, a banker, and they have two daughters.{{cite web|title=Profil Fadli Zon|url=http://fadlizon.com/profil-fadli-zon|publisher=Fadli Zon|accessdate=22 August 2017|language=Indonesian}}

Fadli is the recipient of several awards.

• AIPA Distinguished Service Award from ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), 2021.
• Bintang Mahaputera Nararya from President Joko Widodo, awarded at the State Palace, 13 August 2020.{{cite news |title=President Jokowi Confers Honorary Merit Award to Fadli Zon, Fahri Hamzah |url=https://setkab.go.id/en/president-jokowi-confers-honorary-merit-award-to-fadli-zon-fahri-hamzah/ |access-date=3 March 2022 |publisher=Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia |date=13 August 2020}}
• Champion of Corruption Award, from the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC), 2019.{{cite web |title=GOPAC 7th Global Conference "INTEGRITY MATTERS" |url=https://apnacafrica.org/en_US/gopac-7th-global-conference-integrity-matters/ |website=APNAC |publisher=APNAC |access-date=3 March 2022}}
• Best Achiever in Legislator, from Obsession Awards, 2017.{{cite web |title=Fadli Zon Raih Anugerah "Best Achiever in Legislator" |url=https://www.obsessionnews.com/fadli-zon-raih-anugerah-best-achiever-in-legislator/ |website=ObsessionNews |publisher=Obsession Media Group |access-date=3 March 2022}}
• Kanjeng Pangeran Aryo Kusumo Yudho, from Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat, February 2012.{{cite news |title=Koleksi Keris Rumah Budaya Fadli Zon Diresmikan |url=https://www.tribunnews.com/tribunners/2012/05/20/koleksi-keris-rumah-budaya-fadli-zon-diresmikan |access-date=3 March 2022 |publisher=Tribunnews.com |date=20 May 2012}}
• Kanjeng Pangeran Kusumo Hadiningrat, from Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat, June 2011.{{cite news |title=Fadli Zon dan Gelar Kanjeng Pangerannya |url=https://news.detik.com/tokoh/d-1669948/fadli-zon-dan-gelar-kanjeng-pangerannya |access-date=3 March 2022 |publisher=detikcom |date=27 June 2011}}
• Tuanku Muda Pujangga Diraja, from Daulat Yang Dipertuan Raja Alam Minangkabau, 2009.
• Datuk Bijo Dirajo Nan Kuning, from his ancestors' land, Lima Puluh Kota Regency, West Sumatra.

Fadli is the author of several books, some published by his Fadli Zon Library.

• The Politics of the May 1998 Riots (2004). Refutes allegations that Prabowo masterminded the 1998 May riots and argues against assertions made in former military chief Wiranto's book about the riots, Witness in the Storm (2003).{{cite book|author=Fadli Zon|title=The Politics of the May 1998 Riots|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aYm6AAAAIAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Solstice Pub.|isbn=978-979-97964-8-6}}{{cite book|author=Wiranto|title=Witness in the storm: a memoir of an Army General (ret)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n5C6AAAAIAAJ|year=2003|publisher=Delta Pustaka Express|isbn=978-979-97721-2-1}}
• The IMF Game: The Role of the IMF in Bringing Down the Suharto Regime in May 1998 (2004).{{cite book|author=Fadli Zon|title=The IMF Game: The Role of the IMF in Bringing Down the Suharto Regime in May 1998|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5uKJAAAAMAAJ|date=1 January 2004|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies|isbn=978-979-95388-3-3}}
• Wiranto Lepas Tangan: kesaksian Kivlan Zen dan Fadli Zon sekitar huru-hara Mei 1998(Wiranto Washes His Hands: Testimony of Kivlan Zen and Fadli Zon concerning the Mat 1998 riots) (2004). Co-authored with Kivlan Zen.{{cite book|author1=Kivlan Zen|author2=Fadli Zon|title=Wiranto lepas tangan: kesaksian Kivlan Zen dan Fadli Zon sekitar huru-hara Mei 1998|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-HNxAAAAMAAJ|year=2004|publisher=s.n.}}
• Hari terakhir Kartosoewirjo: 81 foto eksekusi Imam DI/TII (2012). Concerns the execution of Kartosuwirjo, a Darul Islam leader and revolutionary.{{cite book|author=Fadli Zon|title=Hari terakhir Kartosoewirjo: 81 foto eksekusi Imam DI/TII|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7m1PMwEACAAJ|year=2012|publisher=Fadli Zon Library|isbn=978-602-99458-4-3}}
• Dreams I Keep: A Collection of Poems, 1983-1991 (2013).{{cite book|author=Fadli Zon|title=Dreams i Keep: A Collection of Poems, 1983-1991|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JRS4ngEACAAJ|year=2013|publisher=Fadli Zon Library|isbn=978-602-7898-03-5}}
• Menyusuri lorong waktu (Walking the Passage of Time) (2016). An autobiography.{{cite book|author=Fadli Zon|title=Menyusuri lorong waktu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wt-eAQAACAAJ|year=2016|publisher=Fadli Zon Library|isbn=978-602-7898-12-7}}
• Keris Minangkabau (Minangkabau Kris) (2016). Co-authored with Basuki Teguh Yuwono.{{cite book|author1=Basuki Teguh Yuwono|author2=Fadli Zon|title=Keris Minangkabau|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ERtAQAACAAJ|year=2016|isbn=978-602-7898-10-3}}
• Pangan dan Pertanian di Era Neoliberal (Food and Agriculture in the Neoliberal Era) (2016).{{cite book |last1=Zon |first1=Fadli |title=Pangan dan Pertanian di Era Neoliberal |date=2016 |publisher=Fadli Zon Library |isbn=9-786027-898-11-0}}
• Pemikiran Ekonomi Kerakyatan Mohammad Hatta: Jalan Politik Kemakmuran Indonesia (Mohammad Hatta’s Thought on People’s Economy: the Road to Indonesia's Political Prosperity) (2016).
• Orkes Gumarang: Kisah Syaiful Nawas (Orkes Gumarang: The Story of Syaiful Nawas) (2017).
• Orkes Gumarang: Jiwa Yoes Rizal (Orkes Gumarang: Soul Yoes Rizal) (2017).
• Kumpulan Puisi Memeluk Waktu (Embrace Time) (2017).
• Berpihak Pada Rakyat (Siding with the People) (2018).
• Passing Through The Hall of Time (2018).
• Keris Lombok (Lombok Kris) (2018).
• Kujang Pasundan (Pasundan Cleaver) (2018).
• Asmujiono: Pengibar Merah Putih di Puncak Everest (Asmujiono: Red and White (Flag) Raiser on the Top of Everest) (2019).
• Kata Fadli: Catatan-Catatan Kritis Dari Senayan (Fadli: Critical Notes from Senayan)(2019).
• Strengthening The Indonesian Parliamentary Diplomacy (2019).

• [http://www.fadlizonlibrary.com/ Fadli Zon Library]
• [https://www.dpr.go.id/en The House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616015408/https://www.dpr.go.id/en |date=2021-06-16 }}
• [http://partaigerindra.or.id/ Great Indonesia Movement Party] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211012351/http://partaigerindra.or.id/ |date=2021-02-11 }}
• [https://muri.org/ World Records Museum of Indonesia]
• [https://www.ipu.org/ Inter-Parliamentary Union]

{{Reflist}}

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Category:1971 births

Category:University of Indonesia alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Indonesian Islamists

Category:Anti-Chinese sentiment in Indonesia

Category:Anti-Christian sentiment in Indonesia

Category:Right-wing populism in Indonesia

Category:Far-right politics in Indonesia

Category:Anti-Hindu sentiment

Category:Great Indonesia Movement Party politicians

Category:Culture ministers of Indonesia

Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Indonesia), 2014

Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Indonesia), 2019

Category:Alumni of the London School of Economics

Category:Politicians from Jakarta

Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Indonesia), 2024