Oyuk Ivani Siagian, Jakarta – International Freedom of Expression (IFEX), a global network defending press freedom, has urged President Prabowo Subianto to instruct Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman to withdraw his lawsuit against Tempo. IFEX views the legal action as an attempt to criminalize journalists, which directly contradicts human rights and the right to access information.
IFEX argues that Amran's lawsuit undermines democracy in Indonesia and calls for immediate, decisive action from the President.
"It is crucial for President Prabowo to take concrete steps to stop these open attempts to suppress press freedom, or Indonesia risks losing its reputation as a democratic country," IFEX wrote in its official statement on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Lawsuit contradicts Press Law
IFEX asserts that, based on Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, journalistic disputes should be resolved through the Press Council. This mechanism had previously been utilized, and Tempo had already fulfilled its obligations as stipulated in the Press Council's binding decision.
Based on these regulations, IFEX believes that Amran's lawsuit is contrary to both Indonesia's national law and the established mechanism designed to ensure the integrity and ethics of information. They argue that the lawsuit, which includes a demand for "fantastic financial compensation," is a deliberate attempt to criminalize journalism and silence public criticism through legal intimidation.
Suspected SLAPP tactic
IFEX suspects that the Minister's intention to continue the case in court constitutes a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP).
They defined a SLAPP as a form of legal harassment intended to drain the energy of and intimidate the press, rather than provide genuine recovery or accountability.
"When political leaders and state institutions oppose public criticism and silence independent journalists and media through legal intimidation and targeted campaigns, it contributes to a culture of political corruption and self-censorship," the organization stated.
Minister of Agriculture, Amran Sulaiman, filed the lawsuit against Tempo seeking Rp200 billion in compensation. The legal action stemmed from the news poster accompanying the May 16, 2025 edition titled "Poles-Poles Beras Busuk" (Polishing Rotten Rice). This poster served as an introduction to the article, "Risiko Bulog Setelah Cetak Rekor Cadangan Beras Sepanjang Sejarah" (Bulog's Risk After Printing a Record Rice Reserve Throughout History).
The reporting and the accompanying social media poster triggered a complaint from the Minister of Agriculture. However, the Press Council handled the complaint, provided its recommendations, and Tempo subsequently complied with the settlement mechanism as mandated by Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press.