Antara, Jakarta – The General Election Commission (KPU) has reversed its decision that shielded key registration documents of presidential and vice-presidential candidates from public access, following mounting criticism from lawmakers and civil society.

KPU Chairman Afifuddin announced Tuesday that the commission had officially revoked Decree No. 731/2025, which previously classified 16 types of candidate documents as restricted information unless the candidates themselves agreed to release them. The decree had sparked widespread backlash, particularly because it included candidates' educational diplomas, health records, and financial disclosures.

"The KPU has officially annulled the decision designating these documents as exempt from public access," Afifuddin said at a press briefing in Jakarta, citing consultations with the Central Information Commission and other agencies before making the reversal. He added that the commission must align its policies with Indonesia's Public Information Disclosure Law of 2008 and the 2022 Data Protection Law.

Afifuddin said that the KPU values public input, including the flood of criticism voiced on social media in recent days. "We appreciate the participation, criticism, and feedback from the public to ensure that elections remain transparent, accountable, and credible," he said.

The decree had drawn sharp opposition in parliament. Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) lawmaker Deddy Sitorus argued that shielding diplomas and similar documents violated citizens' right to information about public officials. "One consequence of becoming a public official is openness, including one's educational background. This is not classified information," Deddy said.

Deputy Chairman of House Commission II Dede Yusuf Macan Effendi also questioned the commission's motives. "When people apply for a job, they must present a CV, let alone when applying to be president," he said, warning that parliament could summon KPU officials to clarify the matter.

The list of restricted documents had included diplomas, police clearance letters, health certificates, wealth reports, tax filings, and sworn statements of loyalty to Indonesia's state ideology, Pancasila. Critics argued that limiting access to such information undermined electoral transparency at a time when public trust in political institutions remains fragile.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/kpu-reverses-rule-blocking-access-to-presidential-candidate-document