TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chairperson of the Press Council, Ninik Rahayu, regretted the issuance of Police Regulation No. 3 of 2025. The regulation required foreign journalists to have a police clearance (SKK).

"This provision can be interpreted as control and supervision of journalists' work," Ninik said in a written statement received by Tempo on Friday, April 4, 2025. The Press Council considers Regulation No. 3/2025 potentially violates democratic principles and press independence.

Ninik said that the issuance of Regulation No. 3/2025 was non-participatory as it did not involve the Press Council, the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), journalist organizations, and press companies. According to Ninik, the new police regulation did not consider Law No. 40/1999 regarding the Press and Law No. 32/2002 regarding Broadcasting.

In accordance with these two regulations, the Press Council is responsible for the press supervision, including foreign journalists. "The Press Council recommends a review of Regulation No. 3/2025," said Ninik.

The regulation on police clearance for foreign journalists in Regulation No. 3/2025 is stated in Article 5, Paragraph 1, Letter b. The article reads, "The issuance of police clearance for foreigners conducting journalistic and research activities at certain locations."

The regulation also mentions that the police clearance is issued by the public service section of the Baintelkam Polri and the administrative service section of the Directorate of Intelligence Security of the Regional Police. The process is done electronically through the official website of the Indonesian National Police.

The latest Police Regulation has received critical responses. Director of the Legal Aid Institute for the Press, Mustafa Layong, said that foreign supervision should rightly be carried out by Immigration.

Head of the Indonesian National Police Public Relations Division, Inspector General Sandi Nugroho, said that the police do not prohibit the activities of foreign journalists and researchers in the country.

Furthermore, the two-star general stated that the issuance of SKK for foreign journalists is not mandatory. Sandi viewed Police Regulation No. 3 of 2025 as being made to protect and serve foreigners engaged in activities in Indonesia.

With the SKK, foreign journalists and researchers will be safer and their safety guaranteed while carrying out their activities. 

Alif Ilham Fajriadi contributed to the writing of this article.

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