ICW wins information dispute against Health Ministry over COVID-19 vaccine contracts

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has successfully won a public information dispute against the Ministry of Health, securing access to documents related to COVID-19 vaccine procurement contracts. The Information Commission announced its decision on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, affirming that information on government procurement, including contract details for vaccines, is public record.

"This decision confirms that information on government procurement of goods and services, including contract documents for vaccine procurement, is part of public information that must be disclosed according to legal provisions," stated Wana Alamsyah, Head of ICW's Law and Investigation Division, in a written statement on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

ICW initially requested this information in September 2021 as part of their research into the governance of COVID-19 vaccine procurement in Indonesia. The request specifically sought draft contracts and finalized contracts for Sinovac, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer vaccines, along with any amendments, provided they did not contain excluded information. The government had allocated a substantial budget of Rp 57.84 trillion for vaccine procurement in 2021, with Rp 11.72 trillion spent by July 31, 2021, for over 65 million doses.

Alamsyah stressed the importance of contract transparency for accountability, efficiency, and integrity in the use of state funds, especially given the significant public interest and budget involved. Zararah Azhim Syah, an ICW Investigator, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the principle of public information disclosure remains crucial even during emergencies. However, Syah also pointed out the considerable delay, noting that the nearly five-year wait for a resolution undermines the strategic value of the information and contradicts the spirit of Indonesia's Law on Public Information Disclosure.