Public information disclosure is no longer merely an administrative obligation; it is one of the fundamental pillars of building transparent, accountable, and participatory governance. This is especially true for public bodies that manage state funds, whether sourced from the national budget (APBN), regional budgets (APBD), grants, or other public funding sources, for which providing information is both a form of accountability to the public and a fulfillment of citizens' constitutional right to access information.

This spirit was reaffirmed with the inauguration of seven members of the Central Information Commission (KI) for the 2026–2030 term by Indonesia's Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, held at the Media Center of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs on Monday, August 3. The appointment of the Central Information Commission members was formalized through Presidential Decree No. 77/P of 2026 on the Dismissal and Appointment of Members of the Central Information Commission.

The inauguration of this new leadership marks an important milestone in strengthening the implementation of Law No. 14 of 2008 on Public Information Disclosure. Amid rapid digital transformation, the Information Commission is required not only to resolve public information disputes, but also to ensure that every public body can provide information services that are open, easily accessible, and adaptive to the times.

The Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs emphasized that the Information Commission holds a strategic role in safeguarding the quality of public information amid the rapid flow of digital information and the spread of misinformation. He noted that the public holds high expectations for the Commission to protect the public's right to information and to strengthen the foundation of openness that has been built thus far.

The government has also set a target of raising the Public Information Disclosure Index (IKIP) to a score of 75 in the coming year. This target is expected to be achieved through fairer resolution of information disputes, improved quality of public information services, and closer collaboration between the Information Commission and public bodies across the country.

The seven members of the Central Information Commission inaugurated for the 2026–2030 term are Handoko Agung Saputro as Chair, Hafidhah as Deputy Chair, and Arman Fauzi, Dery Hendryan, Edi Purwanto, Joemarthine Chandra, and Rini Purwandari as members.

Chair of the Central Information Commission Handoko Agung Saputro stated that the Commission's leadership will operate on the principle of collective collegiality, grounded in the spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong) and public service. He noted that, alongside strategic agenda items such as revising the Public Information Disclosure Law and resolving information disputes, the Commission also faces increasingly complex challenges, including overseeing information disclosure across various strategic government programs and the 2029 General Election.

For state universities, strengthening information disclosure carries equally significant weight. As institutions that manage public funds while carrying out the functions of education, research, and community service, universities are required to maintain governance that is transparent, responsive, and accountable. Information disclosure serves as a tool for building public trust, improving service quality, and encouraging public participation in the administration of higher education.

This commitment continues to be realized by UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's PPID (Public Information and Documentation Management Official) through a range of public information service innovations. Earning an “Informative” rating at the 2025 Public Information Disclosure Awards and ranking fourth-best among Indonesia's State Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKIN) stand as indicators that a culture of information disclosure continues to be developed sustainably.

This recognition is regarded not as an end goal, but as a foundation for continuing to improve the quality of public information services. Through strengthening digital service systems, updating the Public Information List (DIP), proactively providing information, and building the capacity of PPID staff, UIN Sunan Kalijaga strives to deliver information services that are increasingly fast, accurate, accessible, and responsive to public needs.

The inauguration of the Central Information Commission's commissioners for the 2026–2030 term also serves as a reminder that information disclosure is a shared responsibility of all public bodies. For UIN Sunan Kalijaga, this commitment is understood not merely as regulatory compliance, but as part of a broader effort to build university governance that is excellent, trustworthy, and oriented toward public service. As the culture of information disclosure continues to grow stronger, universities are expected to foster an academic ecosystem that is increasingly transparent, accountable, and trusted by the public. (humassk)