A gathering of the Honorary Council (DK) and the Honorary Advisory Council (DKP) of PWI from across Indonesia, held in a hybrid format.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Honorary Council of the Indonesian Journalists Association (DK PWI) has issued a full dismissal of Firdaus from his PWI membership, as stipulated in Decree Number 98/X/DK/PWI-P/SK-SR/2026, dated October 14, 2026.

This announcement was made by the Chair of the PWI Honorary Council (DK PWI), Atal S. Depari, during a hybrid meeting of PWI’s Honorary Councils from across Indonesia on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chair Herbert Timbo Siahaan, Secretary Nurcholis MA Basyari, other members of the central DK PWI leadership, and the chairs and secretaries of PWI’s regional Honorary Councils (DKP PWI) from throughout the country.

According to Atal, this decision goes beyond the polemic surrounding the organization of the 2027 National Press Day (HPN)—which might otherwise be viewed merely as a difference of opinion—and instead addresses the fundamental issue of a member’s compliance with the organization’s constitution and their loyalty to its leadership.

“Adherence to PWI’s Statutes/Bylaws (AD/ART), Code of Ethics (KEJ), Journalistic Conduct Guidelines (KPW), and Internal Regulations (PO) is mandatory for all PWI members. We are not addressing Firdaus in his capacity as the General Chair of SMSI—who proposed a rotating host system for HPN—but rather within the context of his status as a PWI member, a role that also includes serving on the Advisory Council. His personal capacity as a PWI member cannot be separated from his actions. He ought to have exercised greater wisdom, especially given his past service to PWI as the Chair of the Banten Provincial Chapter and as a member of the central PWI executive board. He should have prioritized this commitment, rather than placing other interests first,” explained Atal.

It was further explained, that the decision by the PWI Central Honorary Council (DK PWI Pusat) to impose a full dismissal on Firdaus is absolute, final, and binding. This ruling was reached unanimously by the seven members of the Honorary Council: Atal S. Depari (Chair), Herbert Timbo P. Siahaan (Vice Chair), Nurcholis MA Basyari (Secretary), and members Helmi Burman, Muhammad Syahrir, Usman Kansong, and Zacky Anthony.

“As the body responsible for enforcing compliance and adjudicating violations by PWI members, the PWI Central Honorary Council doesn’t act arbitrarily. There is no element of personal preference or bias. Everything is carried out based on careful review, analysis, and the established organizational mechanisms of the PWI,” he stated.

A similar sentiment was expressed by the Vice Chair of the Central Honorary Council, Herbert Timbo Siahaan.

“The individual in question exploited his advantageous position for his own personal gain. He framed the National Press Day (HPN) as a right belonging to the entire press community, arguing that all Press Council constituents should have an equal opportunity to organize the event. This is the point that needs to be clarified. We have no intention of prohibiting proposals from the SMSI, that is their right. However, the sanction is directed at Firdaus in his capacity as a PWI member and an official of the PWI Central Board, as he has violated the organization’s Statutes/Bylaws (AD/ART), the Code of Journalistic Ethics (KEJ), the Code of Conduct for Journalists (KPW), and the PWI Internal Regulations (PO),” said Timbo.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the PWI Central Honorary Council, Nurcholis MA Basyari, reminded all PWI members of the necessity to adhere to the organization’s established rules.

“We apply a strict, uncompromising approach to enforcing the rules—we do not look left or right. The Statutes/Bylaws (AD/ART), the Code of Journalistic Ethics (KEJ), the Code of Conduct for Journalists (KPW), and the PWI Internal Regulations (PO) must be followed. Violations will result in sanctions. In the specific case of Firdaus, this constitutes a serious violation, and the sanction imposed is a full dismissal,” he explained.

It was further added, that the sanctions imposed on the individual in question were applied strictly in their capacity as a member of the PWI, as they were found to have failed to comply with the association’s Statutes/Bylaws (AD/ART), the Code of Journalistic Ethics (KEJ), and the Code of Conduct for Journalists (KPW).

This also includes violations of Organizational Regulation No. 113/PLP/PP-PWI/X/2026 concerning the organization of National Press Day (HPN), organizational representation, and organizational conflicts of interest.

Article 8, paragraph 1, states: “The PWI Central Board is obligated to safeguard the historical value, integrity, and continued execution of National Press Day (HPN).” Furthermore, Article 14, paragraph 1, stipulates: “PWI members who hold concurrent positions in other organizations remain obligated to maintain their loyalty to the PWI,” while paragraph 3 adds: “Every member must avoid actions that could create the perception of a conflict of interest between the PWI and other organizations.”

Additionally, Article 15 states, that PWI members holding strategic positions in other organizations are prohibited from: (3) Proposing the transfer, takeover, or change of the person in charge, or altering the authority over the organization’s Strategic Programs, without following established organizational mechanisms; and (4) Engaging in actions that could cause harm, diminish the legitimacy, dignity, or history of the PWI, or undermine the organization’s standing.

All the Chairs and Secretaries of the PWI Honorary Council (DKP) from across Indonesia who attended the meeting expressed their agreement with the stance taken by the PWI Central Honorary Council in its decision to safeguard the integrity and dignity of the PWI organization.

Firdaus Accepts the Decision

Previously, in a response letter dated October 22, 2026—addressed to the Chair of the PWI Central Honorary Council, Atal S. Depari, with copies sent to the Chair of the Press Council, the Chair of the PWI Central Board of Experts, the General Chair of the PWI Central Board, the Chair of the PWI Central Advisory Board, Press Council constituents, and the chairs of the SMSI (Indonesian Cyber ​​Media Union) in provinces across Indonesia—Firdaus stated that he accepts the decision of the PWI Central Honorary Council to fully terminate his membership in the PWI.

In his response, Firdaus also expressed his gratitude to the PWI Central Honorary Council for notifying him of the termination decision. He noted that the decision did not come as a complete surprise, as he had previously received an invitation for clarification, which highlighted fundamental differences in perspective regarding the organization of the National Press Day (HPN).

“Through the written response i submitted earlier, followed by the issuance of this Decree, i have reached a state of peace and understanding. I accept this decision with an open heart—all the more so because this termination stems purely from matters of organizational principle, and not from any moral failing, criminal offense, or violation of the Code of Journalistic Ethics in my reporting work,” he wrote.

PWI Designates Lampung as Host for 2027 National Press Day (HPN)

Prior to the emergence of this controversy, the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) had already designated Lampung Province as the host for the 2027 National Press Day (HPN) and the National Journalists’ Sports Week (Porwanas).

This designation was formalized in Decree Number 077-PLP/PP-PWI/IV/2026, dated April 22, 2026. The decision serves as the organizational basis for preparing these two major events for the press community in 2027.

The PWI Lampung chapter established a grand committee for the 2027 HPN-Porwanas on June 24, 2026. Furthermore, a plenary meeting of the PWI Central Board on August 26, 2026, confirmed the formation of the organizing committee for the 2027 HPN in Lampung, appointing Marthen Selamet Susanto—who also serves as the Secretary-General of the PWI Central Board—as the committee chair. (Bembo)