JAKARTA, RADENMEDIA.ID– In response to allegations of corruption within the Persatuan Wartawan Indonesia (PWI) organization, the Dewan Kehormatan PWI has taken decisive action against the perpetrators. The chairperson of PWI, Hendry Ch. Bangun, along with three other individuals, has been found guilty of embezzling hibah funds from the state-owned enterprise, totaling Rp. 1.771.200.000,-.
The Dewan Kehormatan PWI has demanded that the money is returned within 30 working days, and while some critics have called the decision lukewarm, anticorruption activists see it as an opportunity to pursue legal action and prosecute those responsible.
Wilson Lalengke, an anticorruption journalist, believes that while the decision was not as severe as he wanted it to be, it could still be an effective tool in pursuing justice. He called on the police, the judiciary, and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to take firm action against the corrupt PWI officials, stressing that embezzlement of such magnitude should not be dismissed lightly.
This decision sends a strong message to all Indonesians that there is no tolerance for corruption, particularly in the media industry. It is hoped that the authorities will take swift action to investigate and hold accountable those who have harmed the integrity of Indonesia’s media.*(Redpel)
