Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post 29 Apr 10;
The Environment Ministry said it was geared up to implement the 2008 Freedom of Information Law by allowing the public to access 28 pieces of information related to environmental affairs.
The ministry’s deputy for communication and public empowerment, Henry Bastaman, said the law enabled the public to access information such as quality of air, water and land.
“The public could also learn more about pollution levels of the air and water in their respective areas,” he told the Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta was slated to announce the details of information that could be accessed by the public on May 5.
The freedom of information law will take effect Friday.
Henry said that the public could also access environmental impact analysis and strategic environmental analysis documents as well as information on projects to be developed by the ministry.
A Whole New World of Information
Dessy Sagita, Farouk Arnaz & Ismira Lutfia Jakarta Globe 29 Apr 10;
What will or will not be divulged by public bodies should become clearer today after they declared their readiness on Thursday to release all information within their authority, in line with the Law on Freedom of Information, which comes into effect today.
The new law states that information that threatens national security will stay hidden from the public’s eye, but skepticism remains across the country about how classified information is actually defined, considering, for example, the military’s plan to classify information relating to its active arsenal and annual budget as secret.
Agus Sudibyo, head of public complaints and ethics enforcement at the Press Council, said that though some public institutions had already rearranged their standard operating procedures in order to implement the law, doubt remained over what information would be accessible to the public.
“If this law is implemented properly, big changes are in store for all of us. With exceptions that we will never really know about, the public will have access to almost anything,” Agus told the Jakarta Globe on Thursday, adding that, ideally, the amount of classified information should not exceed that which is accessible.
Tritarayati, a Ministry of Health spokesperson, said most of the information held by the ministry would be released.
“Information about procurement will be classified during the [procurement] process as will our financial report. We can’t disclose the report before it is verified or audited by the Supreme Audit Agency, but they will be classified only temporarily,” she said.
She added, however, that certain information relating to medical records would be treated differently.
“Everybody reserves the right to keep their medical records a secret. Also, we cannot reveal any information that might cause instability or mass panic.”
Agus said anybody with a clear agenda requesting information within reason should not be obstructed by the regulation on classified information.
“This is where the Information Commission plays a very important role in helping to decide whether a person or a group deserves access the information,” Agus said.
M Jasin, deputy head of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), said that despite his body’s preparations to welcome the new law, some information could not be disclosed for obvious reasons. He said data would remain classified if it would hamper ongoing investigations, reveal the identity of a witness or a victim in a criminal case, or endanger the lives of law enforcers.
“We will also consider the importance of the applicant’s request for information. For instance, if the National Police or the Attorney General’s Office asks for the wealth report of a high-ranked official, of course we will give it, but if it is requested by a dubious person or group, we would have to reconsider the request,” Jasin said, adding that in order to implement the law, the antigraft agency had appointed officials to handle such information and documentation.
According to the law, certain information that has the potential to harm criminal investigations or create unhealthy competition among enterprises, should remain classified. Public bodies nationwide, including political parties and law-enforcement agencies, are obligated to release all information that falls under their authority as well as providing regular updates.
Meanwhile, the National Police Headquarters said it was quite prepared to meet its obligations under the new law.
“Our Web site will contain information that the public and journalists need. Information will be updated regularly,” National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Edward Aritonang said.
Gatot Dewa Broto, spokesman for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, had previously told the Globe that not all public bodies were absolutely ready to disclose their information and that the law would not immediately eliminate barriers to access.
“The most important thing is that the law should help reduce unequal access to information,” Gatot said.
