DPR Summons TVRI Supervisory Body over Helmy Yahya Dismissal

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I has summoned today, Jan. 21, the Supervisory Board of the state-run public broadcaster TVRI for a hearing on the dismissal of its president director Helmy Yahya.

The chief commissioner Arief Hidayat Thamrin confirmed the call. “Yes, [I’ll make into the summon] to deliver a report,” said Arief via a short message to Tempo.

Helmy was sacked through the issuance of the letter No. 8/DEWS/TVRI/2020, which was taken into effect officially on January 16, 2020.

Before the dismissal, Helmy was suspended from his post since December 4, 2019. He had filed a defense note on December 18 but was rejected by the board. 

The board of commissioners reiterated several reasons behind the dismissal. First, Helmy neither answered nor explained the purchase of Premier League broadcast rights from the company’s budget.

“During a plenary meeting, the board rejects Helmy’s statement,” said Arief during a press conference on Friday, January 17.

Boards of commissioners also discovered a discrepancy between the national TV station’s rebranding program and its 2019 Annual Budget set by the board. Besides, workers were reshuffled sans concern on the norms, standards, procedures, and management criteria of state apparatus.

For the dismissal, Helmy Yahya took legal action and hired a legal counsel Chandra Hamzah.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA