PWI Layangkan Somasi To The Chairman Of The Press Council Ninik Rahayu

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) officially sent a subpoena to the Chairman of the Press Council, Ninik Rahayu. This subpoena is related to the Press Council Letter Number 1103/DP/K/IX/2024 dated September 29, 2024, which is considered detrimental to the legitimate PWI under the leadership of Hendry Ch Bangun as General Chair and Iqbal Irsyad as Secretary General. PWI refers to the Decree of the Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia Number AHU-000946.AH.01.08. 2024 concerning the Approval of Amendments to the PWI Association dated July 9, 2024.

Chairman of the PWI Legal Aid and Enforcement Consultant Institute (LKBPH PWI), HMU Kurniadi, revealed that his party had sent the summons to the press council office on Jalan Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta. "We had previously sent a letter of invitation for clarification on September 30, 2024, but there was no response. Therefore, we sent a subpoena," Kurniadi explained, who is familiarly called Boy, at the Press Council Building, Friday, October 11.

Boy, who is also undergoing the Legal Doctor Program at Diponegoro University, confirmed that Ninik's actions in issuing the letter had exceeded his authority and had the potential to violate the law. "The Press Council has no authority to determine the legitimacy of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Decree. That is the domain of the court," Boy said. He also reminded that this subpoena was responded well, because if it was ignored, PWI was ready to take legal action. "We gave three days," he added.

Furthermore, Boy emphasized that the Press Council should be neutral and not interfere in the internal affairs of journalists' organizations. He regretted Ninik's attitude which was considered to be in favor of the internal PWI conflict. "The Press Council should be a mediator, not directly involved in conflict," he said.

Meanwhile, when the media tried to meet Ninik Rahayu at the Press Council Building, Jakarta, picket officers explained that Ninik and the ranks of the Press Council were on duty outside the city. Efforts to meet with the commissioners of the Press Council on the 7th floor were also unsuccessful, because the building seemed empty and only guarded by the Press Council picket officers.

Until this news was published, the Chairman of the Press Council, Ninik Rahayu, had not responded to the summons from PWI when contacted. By sending a short message, a smartphone (WA) has not been read. When contacted via telephone, it is also not answered.