April 16, 2025 | 05:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -
The Indonesian Press Council has responded to the government's subsidized housing program for journalists. While Press Council Chairperson Ninik Rahayu acknowledged the government's attention to journalists' welfare, she suggested that housing assistance should be provided through standard mechanisms available to the general public.
"For example, the government could offer best discounts and affordable credit to all residents, including journalists," Ninik explained in an official statement on Wednesday, April 15, 2025.
Ninik emphasized the Press Council's focus on journalists' welfare and its supervisory role. She also clarified that the council would not participate in submitting the list of 100 journalists who will receive the house keys. She welcomed the Ministry of Housing and Settlement (PKP) and the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) to use the publicly available data on the Press Council's website.
Ninik further suggested that the Ministry of Housing and Settlement could more effectively implement a subsidized housing program for journalists by directly coordinating with media organizations. "If the Press Council's involvement is necessary, our function would be limited to final verification of the media company," she added.
The Ministry of Housing and Settlement has allocated 1,000 subsidized homes for journalists through the Liquidity Facility for Housing Financing (FLPP) scheme, a collaborative effort with the Komdigi Ministry and the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The handover of the first 100 units is scheduled for May 6, 2025.
The Independent Journalist Alliance (AJI), the Indonesian Television Journalist Association (IJTI), and the Indonesian Photojournalist Association (PFI) have unanimously opposed this program. AJI Chairperson Nany Afrida acknowledged that journalists, as citizens, need housing but stressed that this need is shared by all professions. She argued that housing credit requirements should be universally applied, regardless of profession.
Nany also cautioned that government-provided housing could compromise public perception of journalists' critical independence. "It would be best to discontinue this program. Our colleagues should secure credit through standard channels like Tapera or banks," she said in a written statement on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Nany further asserted that if the government aims to improve journalists' welfare, it should instead focus on ensuring media companies comply with Employment Law, including providing minimum wages, improving the media ecosystem, and respecting journalists' labor rights.
"If journalists have decent salaries, housing credit would be readily accessible for them," she stated in an official statement on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Indonesian Photojournalist Association (PFI) Chairperson Reno Esnir argued that the program is irrelevant to journalistic duties and that creating a special channel for subsidized housing would negatively portray the profession. He also pointed out that many other professions compete for subsidized housing through regular channels.
"Housing subsidies should not be based on professions but the financial needs of citizens," Reno concluded.
However, Minister of Housing and Settlement Maruarar Sirait, also known as Ara, dismissed these objections. He believed that all 1,000 units would be allocated.
The Gerindra Party politician defended the program as a well-intentioned government initiative for journalists. He asserted that journalists, as a pillar to democracy, deserve to live prosperously, including having access to adequate housing.
"This is not an attempt to silence journalists," Maruarar Sirait affirmed after inspecting renovated homes in Kampung Rawa, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. "Our intentions are good, and we expect journalists to continue their critical role."
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