MenPAN Tjahjo Denies Plans To Disband Press Council And KPI

Tjahjo Kumolo (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (Menpan RB) Tjahjo Kumolo denied there was a plan to dissolve three state institutions, namely the Press Council, Information Commission and Broadcasting Commission.

"Never mention the institution. Moreover, the press council is an important institution and must exist," said Tjahjo when confirmed by reporters, June 9, 2021.

Previously, in a working meeting with the DPR, Tuesday, June 8, Minister Tjahjo said that President Joko Widodo would again dissolve a number of state institutions in order to streamline the bureaucracy.

This time, he said, the government would dissolve an institution that was formed through a law, so it had to be approved by the Indonesian House of Representatives.

"Hopefully, by the middle of the year until the end of the year, we will submit to the DPR proposals for agencies, institutions, which may be abolished," said Tjahjo during a working meeting at the DPR building, Tuesday, June 8.

However, Tjahjo did not specify which state institutions would be dissolved. He only mentioned that some of them are under the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo).

"There are ministries that have up to three bodies. I'm confused about this. I didn't mention it, but I think Pak Nasir (DPR RI member of the PKS Faction Nasir Djamil) can see it at Kominfo," said Tjahjo.

Tjahjo claimed to have agreed with the minister in charge to abolish one agency because there were 3 to 4 echelon I there.

Reportedly, in a column in a media, Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Central Information Commission, Hendra J. Kede, suspected that the three quasi-independent Kominfo institutions established by law would be the targets of disbandment. Among them, the Information Commission, the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission, and the Press Council.