Jakarta, September 16, 2025 — The Freedom of Information Network Indonesia (FOINI) stressed that the recent annulment of the General Elections Commission’s (KPU) decision should not be regarded as an accomplishment in itself. Instead, it must serve as a wake-up call for the KPU to undertake serious institutional reflection and long-term reforms to strengthen its commitment to transparency and the public’s right to information.
FOINI underlined that the annulment was merely a reactive measure, taken only after massive public protests and mounting pressure from civil society. This reactive posture, they argued, illustrates that transparency has yet to be fully internalized as a core value within the KPU. As the institution mandated to safeguard democracy, the KPU should have been proactive in ensuring the public’s access to information from the outset, rather than issuing restrictive rules and changing course only in response to criticism.
The network also pointed to deep flaws in the consequence testing process that produced Decision 731/2025, a regulation they described as legally and logically defective. The reasoning used to justify exceptions to information disclosure was weak and in direct violation of Article 18(2) of the Public Information Disclosure Law (UU KIP). FOINI warned that such practices must never be repeated. Going forward, the KPU must ensure that consequence testing is conducted carefully, transparently, and with the genuine aim of serving the broader public interest, not as a tool to conceal information that should rightfully be open in accordance with Article 2(4) of the law.
While acknowledging the annulment as the right step, FOINI emphasized that what the public truly needs is a long-term guarantee that such incidents will not occur again. Temporary fixes, they argued, are not enough. Instead, the KPU must embrace transparency as a fundamental principle guiding every stage of the electoral process. Information about candidates for public office—whether for the presidency, vice-presidency, regional leadership, or the legislature—does not belong to the individuals alone, but to the public, and must be made easily and openly accessible.
FOINI further urged the KPU to seize this moment as an opportunity to proactively disclose other critical election-related data. These include detailed and easily accessible background information on presidential, vice-presidential, regional, and legislative candidates, comprehensive reports on campaign financing, and information on the procurement of election logistics. By expanding openness in these areas, the KPU can take meaningful steps toward building public trust and ensuring the integrity of elections.
The coalition also called for a transparency audit of the decision-making process that led to Decision 731/2025. The public, FOINI asserted, has the right to know who drafted, supported, and approved a regulation so clearly at odds with the principles of transparency and accountability.
Reaffirming its position, FOINI declared its determination to continue monitoring every policy and decision of the KPU to guarantee that the public’s right to information is fully upheld. According to the network, free, fair, and credible elections can only be realized if transparency is applied consistently from beginning to end.
FOINI’s membership includes the Indonesian Parliamentary Center (IPC), YASMIB Sulawesi, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), Forest Watch Indonesia, Perkumpulan Gemawan, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia, the Center for Indonesian Law and Policy Studies (PSHK), the Foundation for Strengthening Participatory, Initiative, and Partnership of the Indonesian Society (YAPPIKA), the Indonesia Forum for Budget Transparency (FITRA), the Center for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy (PUSPAHAM), the Regional Research and Information Center (PATTIRO), the Center for Policy and Law, and Transparency International Indonesia.
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