Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, said on Monday that the bureau had apologized to CNN Indonesia and Valencia during a meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta.
“We also ensure that this incident will not happen again. For journalists covering Presidential activities, this will not be repeated. We regret the revocation of the press ID,” Permana told the media.
According to him, the Press Bureau had apologized and agreed to return Valencia’s Presidential Press ID, which had been revoked on Saturday, September 27.
Permana noted that the Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau highly upholds the principles of openness and press freedom, as mandated by Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press.
In line with this, President Prabowo Subianto also upholds press freedom. Thus, the return of the ID press also aims to allow the Palace to collaborate with journalists, especially in covering the success of the President's priority programs.
"The president continues to highly uphold openness and press freedom," Permana emphasized.
On the same occasion, Valencia also expressed gratitude for the Head of the Indonesian Press Association (BPMI), Erlin Suastini, who apologized and returned her Presidential Palace ID press.
She also appreciated the Press Bureau's decision to commit that the revocation of the ID press would be the last time, although she did not rule out the possibility of a reprimand from the Press Bureau regarding the President's coverage protocols, such as positioning and doorstop interview questions.
Following her coverage of President Prabowo Subianto's arrival from a state visit at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on September 27, Valencia's Presidential ID press was revoked after her question regarding presidential-specific instructions for handling food poisoning cases linked to the Free Nutritional Meal (MBG) program.
Related news: Press Bureau apologizes, returns CNN reporter’s palace press pass
Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
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