Governor Edy Rahmayadi: I Am Not Alergy Criticism, But Don't Tendensius

North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi and the Head of PWI Center Atal S Depari walked out in the city of Medan, on Wednesday 9 November. (Central PWI photo)

JAKARTA - Regarding criticism and suggestions for the Governor of North Sumatra (Gubsu) Edy Rahmayadi is not a taboo thing. In fact, he really appreciated the growing press in the regions and agreed that the press should not be silent. The press must be independent.

This was stated by Edy Rahmayadi when receiving a visit from the General Chairperson of the PWI Center Atal S Depari. Atal took shelter after a morning walk with Governor Edy Rahmayadi on Wednesday 9 November.

Edy Rahmayadi assessed that the press should not be silenced. One of the roles of the press is to criticize policies, but not to be sensitive, let alone tendentious. "I am of the type that is not allergic to criticism but I am disappointed if criticism is based on interests, personal sentiment and tendentious," said the former Kostrad Commander accompanied by the Head of the North Sumatra Communications and Information Office, Ilyas S Sitorus, as stated in a written statement received by VOI.

The General Chairperson of the Central PWI was present at Medan accompanied by Central PWI administrators, Muhamad Ihsan, and Dar Edi Yoga to strengthen the National Press Day program which will be held in North Sumatra in February 2023.

Edy Rahmayadi stated that the press must be maintained by the state because the press at the beginning of the realization of Indonesia's independence participated in the liberation of this nation. "So this country is independent not only because of weapons but also because of journalists who voice the fire of struggle for an independent Indonesia," said Edy Rahmayadi, mentioning that it is also the task of the press that fills independence at this time.

As a former Kostrad Commander, Edy said that the highest intelligence was the press. The press can open something that is not yet known to the public.

Therefore, the press should not be dwarfed, let alone want to be dwarfed because of interests. The press must stand up and act for the benefit of the people. "Return the press to the hearts of the people," said Edy, stating that he kept a collection of newspapers published in 1937.

In this meeting, the General Chairperson of PWI Atal S Depari stated that the tagline for National Press Day in North Sumatra on February 9, 2023 was "Pers independence, dignified democracy" and will issue MEDAN DECLARATION on National Press Day.

Governor Edy Rahmayadi supports HPN activities in North Sumatra in the hope that this national meeting of journalists must be able to provide thoughts, ideas that can benefit the region and the center. At least Edy Rahmayadi hopes to show his commitment to developing countries and regions.