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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Indonesian Politician Gus Ipul Complains to Press Council Over Negative Media Articles

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Indonesian politician Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, has filed a formal complaint with the Press Council against the media outlet Suara Merdeka.
  • The complaint concerns two articles published in May and June 2026, which he alleges contain negative accusations and labeling against him.
  • Suara Merdeka's editor defended one article as factual, citing statements from a PBNU official, while denying authorship of the second article but admitting to its publication.

Indonesian politician Saifullah Yusuf, widely known as Gus Ipul, has officially lodged a complaint with the Press Council against the national media outlet Suara Merdeka. Represented by his legal team, Gus Ipul alleges that two published articles contain defamatory accusations and negative labeling directed at him.

According to Gus Ipul's lawyer, Syamsul Huda Yudha, two separate reports were filed. The first is a formal complaint to the Press Council regarding two articles on the Jakarta.Suaramerdeka.com website. The second involves sending a legal notice, or "somasi," to a Nahdliyin community member named Hamzah Sahal, concerning social media and electronic media posts. The legal team contends that these publications are not isolated criticisms but form a continuous narrative targeting Saifullah Yusuf, both in his capacity as Secretary General of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) and as Minister of Social Affairs, between March and June 2026.

So the opportunity for differences in viewpoints and understanding of an issue is very open. Including the objections experienced by Gus Ipul, as reported by his legal counsel. Of course, this step must be appreciated. The Press Council will conduct a study, examination, and investigation into this complaint.

— Totok SuryantoDeputy Chairman of the Press Council, acknowledging Gus Ipul's complaint.

The two articles in question are titled “Gus Yahya Becomes ‘Punching Bag’ Amidst Secretary General’s Jam” (published May 2, 2026) and “Gus Ipul The Troublemaker” (published June 1, 2026). Gus Ipul's legal team asserts that these articles link him to power ambitions, specific political agendas, alleged maneuvers to undermine the PBNU Chairman, and various internal organizational issues.

Benny Benke, head of Suara Merdeka's Jakarta bureau, responded to the complaint. He defended the first article, stating it reported factual events and included quotes directly from PBNU Deputy Chairman Amin Said Husni. Benke urged verification with PBNU, particularly Amin Said Husni. Regarding the second article, “Gus Ipul Si Biang Kerok,” Benke clarified that he did not write it but was responsible for its publication on the editorial pages, suggesting it was an opinion piece.

Those are all factual events. All meetings have Lora Amin Said speaking, nothing is fabricated, please ask PBNU, especially Lora Amin Said.

— Benny BenkeSuara Merdeka bureau chief, defending the factual basis of one article.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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