PWI Centre Affirms Legality of Hendry Ch Bangun, Report on Slander Cases And Counterfeiting

The Central PWI Legal Team gave a press statement. (IST)

JAKARTA - The attorney for the PWI Centre, HMU Kurniadi, SH., MH., revealed that the PWI Centre Management has reported four cases related to the spread of slander and forgery of letters to the police. The report includes allegations of defamation and spread of slander in accordance with Article 27A of the ITE Law, with reported Wilson Lalengke Official Channel, JR Show Panggung Rakyat, and TV Journalists. In addition, there are allegations of forgery in accordance with Article 263 of the Criminal Code with the reported ST and NMB, as well as allegations of forgery of letters or giving false statements based on Article 264 of the Criminal Code involving ZS and his friends.

"We also, at the power of Sayid Iskandarsyah, have filed a lawsuit at the Central Jakarta District Court on July 5, 2024 with register number 395/Pdt.G/2024/PN Jkt.Pst. However, two trials have been held, and the defendants and defendants' attorneys were not present," said HMU Kurniadi to reporters at the PWI Centre Secretariat, Kebon Sirih, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 14.

HMU Kurniadi also responded to a polemic related to the implementation of the Journalist Competency Test Program (UKW) funded by the BUMN Public Relations Forum. Based on the results of an audit from the Haryo Tienmar Public Accountant Office (KAP), no material or significant deviations were found in the UKW Program receipt and expenditure report. Regarding cashback funds of Rp. 1,080,000,000, HMU Kurniadi confirmed that the funds had been returned to the PWI Centre cash because they were considered incentive payments that exceeded the applicable regulations. "The funds called cashback have been returned to PWI cash amounting to Rp. 1,080,000,000. So, what is the problem?" he said.

Furthermore, HMU Kurniadi emphasized that the legality of Hendry Ch Bangun's position as the General Chair of PWI remained valid. Hendry was elected in the XXV Congress in Bandung, in accordance with Congressional Decree Number 8/K-XXXV/2023 dated 26 September 2023, which was then stated in Deed Number 13 dated 14 November 2023 and ratified by the Decree of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Number AHU-0001588.AH.01.08.2023 on 17 November 2023. In addition, at the plenary meeting expanded on 27 June 2024, the amendment to the PWI Centre Management was determined by the PWI Centre Decree Number 218-PLP/PP-PWI/2024 dated 27 June 2024, which was then stated in Deed Number 10 dated 8 July 2024 and ratified by SK Kemenkumham Number AHU-0000946.AH.01.08.208.2024 on 12 July 2024.

"Until now, based on the Decree of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the legitimate PWI Centre Management is with the General Chairperson Hendry Ch Bangun and Secretary General Iqbal Irsyad. The Ministry of Law and Human Rights Decree has never been revoked or canceled. Therefore, Zulmansyah Sekedang's claim claiming to be the Acting General Chair is fake," said HMU Kurniadi.