August 7, 2025 | 08:23 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Secretary General of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Bayu Wardhana, condemns Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's action of prohibiting the media from covering his speech at the Indonesian Convention of Science, Technology, and Industry (KSTI) at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha (Sabuga), West Java, on Thursday, August 7, 2025. According to Bayu, KSTI is an open space that brings together scientists, academics, industry practitioners, and policymakers from various national priority sectors.
Therefore, Prabowo should not restrict the journalistic work of the media team. "This obstructs the press. Because KSTI is an open forum, the President is invited to speak, which should be open information," said Bayu when contacted on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
He mentioned that Prabowo's actions have threatened press freedom, especially when Prabowo often prohibits the media from covering his speeches in other forums. Bayu understands that the Chair of the Gerindra Party limits media access in closed cabinet meetings held on Thursday, August 6, 2025, at the Presidential Palace.
However, he disagrees if Indonesia's KSTI is treated as a closed forum that is prohibited from being covered. Bayu also highlighted that by prohibiting journalists from carrying communication devices during the event, Prabowo potentially violates the rights of citizens.
"Participants are prohibited from bringing mobile phones or laptops, which is also part of suppressing freedom of expression and the right to know from citizens," he said.
Previously, in his speech at KSTI in Sabuga, West Java, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Prabowo told the media that journalists should leave the room after he greeted the attending ministers and government officials.
"Here is a note (speech paper) stating that journalists will leave the room after I greet the list of attending ministers and ministerial-level officials," said Prabowo, greeted with laughter from the participants.
Prabowo then greeted the coordinating ministers, ministers, agency heads, and state-owned enterprise chief executives. After that, he asked the journalists to leave the room. "Alright, so everyone's attendance list has been read. Journalists are welcome to have coffee, it's already prepared," he said.
When asked by the media after his speech, Prabowo revealed the reason for his closed speech. He said it was to prevent his speech from being twisted.
"To make it freer like that, right? Don't twist it, don't politicize it. We talk about knowledge. We talk about the science of technology," said Prabowo.
Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to this article
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