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| Ruhermansyah, S.H., C.Med, a legal advisor from Ruhermansyah & Partners. |
The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) of West Kalimantan has officially taken legal action against an individual named Wawan Suwandi, who allegedly claimed to be the Acting Chairman (Plt.) of PWI West Kalimantan without legal authority. This serious move was made to protect the organization’s credibility and uphold its integrity as one of the oldest journalist associations in the country.
The legal warning (somasi) was issued on July 14, 2025, through Ruhermansyah, S.H., C.Med, a legal advisor from Ruhermansyah & Partners, who represents PWI West Kalimantan based on a Special Power of Attorney dated July 8, 2025. Under the leadership of Chairman Kundori and Secretary Deska Irnan Syafara, PWI West Kalimantan expressed strong objections to Wawan Suwandi’s actions.
What Really Happened?
According to legal counsel Ruhermansyah, Wawan Suwandi unilaterally claimed the title of Acting Chairman of PWI West Kalimantan. This move is seen as illegal and in direct violation of the official statutes and organizational rules that govern PWI.
To be clear, the official management structure of PWI West Kalimantan has already been determined through a valid decree issued by PWI Central, SK No. 196-PGS/PP-PWI/2024 dated April 18, 2024, naming Kundori as Chairman and Deska Irnan Syafara as Secretary.
Which Laws Were Allegedly Violated?
The legal warning outlined several points that indicate Wawan Suwandi’s actions may have broken the law, including:
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PWI’s internal rules (AD/ART), particularly Article 26, which states that only a Provincial Conference can elect a Chairman for a five-year term—there’s no provision for unilateral appointment of an acting chair.
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Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press and Law No. 17 of 2013 on Mass Organizations, both of which stress the importance of legal and democratic procedures in organizational leadership.
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The Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP) Articles 263 and 266, which deal with the forgery and misuse of documents.
What Exactly Did Wawan Suwandi Do?
The letter details a number of actions allegedly committed by Wawan Suwandi that are considered illegal and damaging to the organization:
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Declaring himself Acting Chairman without a valid legal basis.
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Illegally using PWI’s official attributes, such as the logo, flag, letterhead, and organizational stamp.
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Issuing letters and official documents on behalf of PWI West Kalimantan without authority.
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Misleading partners and the public by presenting himself as an official representative of the organization.
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Causing material and immaterial harm to PWI West Kalimantan.
What Are PWI’s Demands?
PWI West Kalimantan is giving Wawan Suwandi until July 19, 2025, to:
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Stop all claims and actions made on behalf of PWI West Kalimantan.
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Cease using any organizational symbols or documents.
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Retract all documents or decisions issued under false pretenses.
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Publicly clarify the situation and issue an open apology.
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Return any PWI property or materials that were misused.
Failure to meet these demands will result in further legal action.
Next Legal Steps If Ignored
If Wawan Suwandi fails to comply by the deadline, the legal team representing PWI West Kalimantan is prepared to take the following steps:
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Report the case to the West Kalimantan Police for potential criminal violations, including forgery and misuse of position.
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File a civil lawsuit to seek compensation for damages.
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Issue a public notice to government agencies, business partners, and the public to warn them about the illegitimacy of Wawan’s claims.
Copies of the legal warning have also been sent to:
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PWI Central Chairman, Hendry Ch. Bangun
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The Chairman of the Indonesian Press Council
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Governor of West Kalimantan
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Regional Police Chief of West Kalimantan
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All business partners and institutional stakeholders of PWI West Kalimantan
Why This Case Matters
PWI is more than just a journalists’ association—it's a pillar of press freedom and professional ethics. Any unauthorized use of its title or symbols can cause public confusion and potentially damage the reputation of the entire press community.
“This is not about personal conflict,” said attorney Ruhermansyah. “This is about defending the honor of the organization and making sure that leadership rules are followed properly and transparently.”
Protecting the Integrity of Journalism
This case serves as a valuable reminder that leadership roles within organizations, especially ones tied to public trust like PWI, must follow a legal and transparent process. Misusing organizational titles and assets for personal gain is not only unethical, but also potentially criminal.
For the general public, especially media partners, it’s important to always verify the legitimacy of anyone claiming to represent an organization. Avoiding false claims helps prevent further harm and protects the integrity of professional institutions.