JAKARTA-JAYANEWS.COM— The Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Community Forum (FKSTIM) has raised objections regarding the inauguration of 25 members of the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ) for the 2026–2029 term, conducted by the Governor of the Special Region of Jakarta, Pramono Anung, on August 5, 2026.
According to FKSTIM, the inauguration violated and failed to comply with Governor’s Regulation (Pergub) Number 4 of 2020 concerning the Jakarta Academy and the Jakarta Arts Council.
“That regulation serves as the constitutional foundation for the Jakarta Academy and the Jakarta Arts Council. Therefore, it must be adhered to by all parties,” said Yon Bayu, the FKSTIM coordinator, speaking to reporters in Jakarta on Saturday (September 5, 2026).
It was further explained that the primary issues concern the number of members and the composition of the committees.
Article 23, paragraph (1) of Governor’s Regulation Number 4 of 2020 stipulates that the DKJ shall have 30 Regular Members, while Article 24, paragraph (2) mandates that each committee consist of five members.
However, the DKJ lineup for the 2026–2029 term inaugurated by the Governor comprises only 25 individuals.
The Literature Committee has only three members, while the Theater, Music, and Dance Committees each have four members.
Only the Film and Visual Arts Committees have five members each.
**Fit and Proper Test Process**
FKSTIM has also raised objections regarding the fit and proper test process.
Article 25, paragraph (10) of Governor’s Regulation Number 4 of 2020 stipulates that, at the stage involving candidates selected through the Jakarta Arts Deliberation (MKJ), the Jakarta Academy is required to conduct an open fit and proper test. According to FKSTIM, the Jakarta Academy never conducted an open fit-and-proper test; instead, it held closed-door interviews with only a subset of the DKJ membership candidates—specifically the 46 individuals listed in the Jakarta Academy’s invitation letter (No. 15/V-KAJ/2026).
This stands in contrast to the fact that the DKJ Deliberation Meeting (MKJ) held on November 25–26, 2025, involved 104 candidates.
Furthermore, FKSTIM has questioned the timing of the DKJ member appointments. Jakarta Academy Decision No. 02 of 2026 was issued on July 23, 2026, whereas the term of the 2023–2026 DKJ was set to expire on July 27, 2026, pursuant to Governor’s Decision No. 498 of 2023. Article 46 of Governor’s Regulation No. 4 of 2020 mandates that the Jakarta Academy appoint DKJ members no later than six months prior to the expiration of the incumbent DKJ’s term.
FKSTIM maintains that these irregularities are not merely technical issues but could potentially give rise to problems regarding the DKJ’s legal legitimacy and governance.
The consequences could impact the implementation of work programs, the issuance of cultural recommendations, the appointment of curators, and the management and accountability of public funds throughout the three-year term.
FKSTIM also noted that Jakarta Academy Decision No. 02 of 2026 included a clause allowing for corrections in the event of errors. However, by the time of the inauguration on August 5, 2026, there had been no adjustments to the composition nor any official explanation regarding the aforementioned irregularities. “So, this is not merely a matter of insufficient membership numbers; it is a question of legality. Due to various violations and non-compliance with the Governor’s Regulation, the DKJ (Jakarta Arts Council) recently inaugurated by the Governor is clearly illegal. This means the DKJ lacks the legal legitimacy to carry out its duties and exercise its authority as stipulated in Governor’s Regulation No. 4 of 2020,” asserted Yon Bayu.
Request for an Audience
In response to this issue, FKSTIM has submitted a request for an audience, as well as a formal administrative objection, to the Governor of the Special Region of Jakarta.
The Forum is asking the Governor to open a dialogue to discuss refining the DKJ’s composition and determining the necessary administrative and legal steps.
As of September 3, 2026, FKSTIM has not yet received a response to the request for an audience.
Consequently, FKSTIM will hold a public discussion titled “Where Are the Jakarta Academy/Jakarta Arts Council Headed?” on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 1:00 PM WIB at PDS HB Jassin, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Cikini, Central Jakarta.
The outcomes of the public discussion will subsequently be presented to the Governor of the Special Region of Jakarta, accompanied by demands for improvements to the inauguration mechanism and the composition of DKJ members for the 2026–2029 term.
If the issue remains unresolved, the results of the discussion and administrative review will serve as the basis for pursuing legal action, including filing a lawsuit with the Administrative Court (PTUN).
The Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Community Forum (FKSTIM) consists of:
Arie Batubara (Jakarta Arts Society/MKJ), Remmy Novaris DM (Jakarta Literary Kitchen/DSJ), Octavianus Masheka (Indonesian Literary Inspiration Park/TISI), and
Yon Bayu Wahyono (PojokTIM Community). (***)
Contributor: Lasman Simanjuntak
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