Public information disclosure cannot be achieved through the fulfillment of administrative documents alone. Beyond that, openness needs to grow into a working culture and become part of institutional governance involving every element of a public body. This message was delivered by the Chair of the Central Information Commission (KIP), Handoko Agung Saputro, at the Kick-Off and Socialization of the 2026 Public Information Disclosure Monitoring and Evaluation (Monev), held Wednesday (8/26/2026).

The hybrid event, organized by KIP, was attended by hundreds of public bodies from across Indonesia, including the Public Information and Documentation Officer (PPID) Team of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, who participated online via Zoom Meeting.

In his remarks, Handoko affirmed that information disclosure is an essential part of democratic life. He noted that the public holds not only the right to vote, but also the right to know how the state and public institutions carry out their mandates.

For this reason, information disclosure should not stop at completing questionnaires, uploading documents, or chasing particular evaluation scores. The information provided by public bodies must be meaningful, easy to understand, easily accessible, and able to meet the public's actual needs.

“In a democratic state, the public holds not only the right to vote, but also the right to know,” Handoko affirmed.

He explained that building information disclosure requires support from every element of an institution. Leaders of public bodies must provide full support, PPID serves as the driver of information services, and every work unit bears responsibility for ensuring that public information is managed and delivered in accordance with regulations.

Handoko also commended the Ministry of Religious Affairs for its commitment to strengthening information disclosure across State Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKN). He expressed hope that all PTKN institutions would continue improving the quality of their public information management and achieve an “informative” rating in the 2026 KIP Monev.

According to Handoko, a rating in the Monev should not be understood merely as an award. More importantly, evaluation results should reflect a public body's genuine commitment to fulfilling the public's right to information, while also serving as momentum for improving governance.

“The rating should never become the goal in itself. What matters more is whether information disclosure is genuinely felt to benefit the public,” he said.

For UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, this message reinforces the understanding that information disclosure is not solely the responsibility of PPID. Strengthening information services requires joint involvement from university leadership, faculties, work units, institutes, and every element supporting university governance.

The PPID Team of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta is ready to take part in the entire 2026 KIP Monev process, from completing the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) through to the awards stage. This participation is aimed not only at maintaining the “informative” rating, but also serves as momentum for UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta to continue evaluating and improving the quality of its public information services.

Handoko also emphasized the importance of a constructive relationship between KIP and public bodies throughout the Monev process. He noted that evaluation should produce concrete lessons and improvements, so that information disclosure does not remain merely an annual assessment exercise.

Closing his remarks, Handoko reiterated that information disclosure fundamentally stems from the public's right to know. Transparency, therefore, should be treated as part of the mandate of public service and as a foundation for building public trust.

“Information disclosure is not a burden, but a mandate; transparency is not a threat, but the foundation of public trust,” he affirmed.

Handoko's message serves as a reminder for UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta to continue treating information disclosure not merely as an annual formality, but as an ongoing commitment embedded in the working practices of every unit across the university. (humassk)