TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chief of Presidential Staff Moeldoko reported Tempo Magazine to the Press Council for its coverage titled "Beking Mobil Listrik Wuling", which suggested that the retired general intervened with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to accommodate Wuling's substandard electric car battery chargers.

According to Moeldoko, the step taken was part of democracy and a way to voice objections to the news reporting, which he deemed a form of journalistic arrogance.

“I see that the cover of Tempo Magazine and the opinion written as a form of journalistic arrogance that even leads to brutality, bias, and loss of independence,” he said at the Press Council Office in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 27, 2023.

Moeldoko filed the complaint as his right of reply to the news reports that the use of electric cars in Indonesia was fraught with conflicts of interest. In an interview with Tempo Magazine, the issue was based on three regulations, namely Presidential Decree No. 83/2019, Presidential Decree No. 79/2023, and Presidential Instruction No.7/2022.

“It seems that Tempo considers this transformation program to be trivial, not important matter,” he said.

Additionally, Moeldoko said he wanted to clarify the issue, stressing that he had never used his position or power to pressure other institutions. The Indonesian Electric Vehicle Industry Association’s (Periklindo) letter to the ESDM Ministry was a mere administrative order.

“Therefore, I filed my objection through the Press Council in the hope that this case could be resolved properly. I also understand that the public hopes that Tempo can become a critical media as it was known before,” he said.

Moeldoko submitted a complaint letter for the violation of the journalistic code of ethics allegedly committed by Tempo Magazine to the Press Council regarding the cover and the opinion of Tempo magazine for the December 25-31 2023 edition.

According to him, the article was harmful because it did not comply with the journalistic principles and code of ethics, and most of the content was offensive.

YUNI ROHMAWATI

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