Negative news about the Tasikmalaya Polres Satpas and the Tasikmalaya Polres Satpas Call Center for complaints

progresifjaya.id, TASIKMALAYA – Unbalanced reporting, or a failure to cover both sides, has once again disrupted the performance of the Polri Traffic Work Unit (Satker). This time, the reporting pattern in question is targeting the Tasikmalaya Polres Traffic Satpas.

The article, titled “Alleged SIM Brokerage at Tasikmalaya Polres Satpas Harms Polantas Menyapa Program,” was published by the online media outlet www.tabloidputrapos.com on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The story stated that an applicant with the initials L interacted with a broker outside the police station who offered to make a Class C SIM for Rp900.000.

Interestingly, the entire story does not mention any SIM brokerage transaction at the price in question. It only mentions an offer that the applicant refused to accept.

“If you read the news, there was no wrongdoing. The broker—whether true or not—offered a driver’s license (SIM) service to applicant L for Rp900.000. That’s all. Applicant L’s identity is also unclear. And there was no brokering transaction mentioned in the news. I’m sure the narrative is a fabrication,” said Azis, Chairman of the Indonesian Polri Journalist Partners (JMP), in response on Sunday, (10/19).

He further explained that, based on journalistic principles, the report clearly violated regulations. In addition to making unsubstantiated allegations, there was also no attempt to confirm with the Satpas to ensure a balanced narrative.

“If the Satpas reports a case like this to the Press Council, it could backfire on the media outlets that report it. It clearly violates journalistic ethics. So, my suggestion is to report it to the Press Council so they can learn from it,” Azis added.

Meanwhile, the non-commissioned officer (Baur) for SIM at the Tasikmalaya Polres Satpas, Aiptu Adit, when asked for confirmation, admitted to being confused by the news. The reporter suddenly received a WhatsApp message from the Head of the Registration and Identification Unit, stating he wanted to share the news.

“So, the WhatsApp message wasn’t sent for confirmation, but was already in the form of a published news item. We’re confused about how to respond. The news is also unclear in its veracity, and it was written by a broker outside the police station. We don’t know who they are. If you want to ask for money, you shouldn’t do it this way,” Aiptu Adit said, sounding annoyed.

He also stated, that his office would never entertain reports like this. Moreover, his office has close partnerships with many journalists and understands how journalists actually work.

“If they still persist, we will report the media outlet to the Press Council. Let the Press Council resolve this,” he added. (Bembo)