Will the Ministry of Defense Report Tempo Magazine to the Press Council?
The Indonesian Ministry of Defense reported Tempo Magazine to the Press Council regarding its coverage of plans to declare martial law during the unrest in Jakarta.
“Yes (the Ministry of Defense reported it to the Press Council). That’s what Tempo reported, the news published in that Tempo publication is untrue and irresponsible,” said Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang, Head of the Ministry’s Information and Communications Bureau, as quoted on Thursday (September 11, 2025).
“Because every process for submitting a draft requires an official mechanism that cannot be carried out by Minister of Defense, Mr. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, alone. During the submission process, I checked with the Legal Bureau, the Regulations and Invitation Bureau, and the Administration and Protocol Bureau, and there was absolutely no suggestion of a draft process submitted,” he added.
Therefore, the Ministry of Defense then reported Tempo Magazine to the Press Council.
“We’re not threatening, we’re respecting it. Freedom of the press, in this democratic era, is something to be appreciated. However, when the media reports false news, especially regarding state officials and state institutions, it must be corrected,” he concluded.
