The importance of disclosing public information was further discussed in the Studium Generale KU-4078 course on Wednesday (9/3/2022). Titled "The Role of Students in Public Information Disclosure", the presentation began with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Widjaja Martokusumo's (Secretary of Institut Teknologi Bandung) opening speech and was moderated by Ridwan Fauzi, S.Pd., M.H (professor from the Humanities Research Group).

Gede elaborated students can actively participate in handling public policies by starting from the lowest hierarchical system, such as villages or wards. By providing evident opinions in a professional and accountable manner, students can coordinate with public institutions to conduct good governance practices with several parties.

KI (Information Commission) has a legal basis for the transparency of public information: Law No. 14 of 2008 regarding Public Information Disclosure. Implementation of this law is inferred in PERKI No. 1 of 2010 and PERKI No. 1 of 2021 regarding the Standards of Public Information Services.

"The term ‘openness’ is derived from the word ‘open’, which adopts the terminology of ‘transparency’,” Gede described. “Being transparent itself does not mean everything has to be divulged. Some information can be accessed by everyone while some are better off known to a certain degree by the public.”

Gede emphasized that all information are forms of descriptions, statements, ideas, or signs containing values in terms of data, facts, and explanations. These values are seen, heard, and read in various mediums depending on the technological growth of the information itself.

Institutions responsible for conveying public information while following applicable laws are public agencies. They consist of the executive, legislative, judicial, and other departments tasked with the country's governance. They also supervise the information published by non-government organizations that are either fully or partially funded by APBN, APBD, or donations from communities.

KI is an independent institution that carries out laws and regulations on the technical implementation and dispute resolution of public information services. On another note, public agencies have at least one PPID (Information Management and Documentation Officer) who oversees their storage, documentation, provision, and service of the required information.

Public information is classified into two sorts: open and excluded. Open public information are either immediately or periodically announced based on people's request. They are also available at all times since they are often demanded by most people.

According to Article 17 of the KIP Law, excluded information is further divided into ten categories depending on the three types of confidential information: state, personal, and enterprises. Thus, a person with a legal identity can inquire about any information to the PPID of public agencies. If there is a disagreement, the person can file a legal action to KI that results in either of the three following outcomes:
1. Reveal the information
2. Conceal the information
3. Partially reveal or conceal the information

"It is necessary to be ethical and responsible when conveying these pieces of information, “Gede concluded. “The broadcast of information must be done with full commitment and consistency based on the available facts."

As a public agency with the obligation to perform KIP (Disclosure of Public Information), ITB has issued the Rectorate Decree No. 244/IT1. A/SK-KP/2020 on 7 July 2020 to establish ITB’s PPID structure. The management structure has the duty and authority to implement and coordinate public information services. During the 2021 Public Information Disclosure Award, ITB was declared as an informative public agency of the Central Information Commission.

Reporter: Alvina Putri Nabilah (Biology, 2019)
Translator: Ruth Nathania (Environmental Engineering, 2019)