Independent Report – The Kediri City Government (Pemkot Kediri) in East Java has issued a clarification regarding an error. In the official website concerning the mention of Kaesang Pangarep as a Special Staff to the Vice President. The clarification came in response to a news article published on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Which incorrectly referred to Kaesang as holding the position of Special Staff to the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia.
The news article, titled “Mbak Wali Receives Visit from ‘Special Staff to the Vice President Kaesang Pangarep. Discussing the Development of Kediri City’s Potential’,” inaccurately stated that Kaesang Pangarep. The third son of President Joko Widodo, held the position of Special Staff to the Vice President. This misleading information was swiftly addressed by the Kediri City Government.
Adi Wicaksono, Head of the Protocol and Communication Department of Pemkot Kediri. Issued a formal apology for the mistake in the article. “We sincerely apologize for the error. Moving forward, we will exercise greater caution when drafting and publishing news. Especially concerning the accurate mention of positions,” Adi Wicaksono said in a statement received in Jakarta
Wicaksono emphasized that Kaesang Pangarep does not hold the title of Special Staff to the Vice President, as stated in the report. He further clarified that the mistake stemmed from an inadvertent error in the official communication. Pemkot Kediri also pledged to tighten the process of verifying information before it is made public. In order to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
The confusion arose during Kaesang Pangarep’s visit to Kediri, where he met with Kediri Mayor Vinanda Prameswati and other local officials. The purpose of the visit was to discuss various matters related to the city’s development, including education and healthcare issues. The meeting, which was held in the mayor’s official residence. Was a closed-door session aimed at fostering better communication and collaboration between Kaesang and the local government.
Also Read : Trump Tariff Policy: Impact on US Business and Economy
During the meeting, both Kaesang and the Kediri city officials discussed several important topics concerning the city’s growth and challenges. Mayor Prameswati highlighted the significance of support from various parties. Including young leaders like Kaesang, in the efforts to build and develop the city. The visit was seen as an effort to strengthen ties and gain insights into the concerns and aspirations of the local community.
However, the official statement released by the Kediri City Government erroneously mentioned Kaesang as a Special Staff to the Vice President, a title which he does not hold. This misinformation was quickly corrected by the local government in their subsequent statements. Which clarified Kaesang’s actual position as the Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). Not as a government staff member.
The Kediri City Government’s swift response and apology were seen as an effort to maintain transparency and accountability. The local authorities emphasized the importance of careful information dissemination and the need to uphold accurate and truthful reporting to prevent the spread of false or misleading information.
The incident also highlights the importance of clear communication. Especially when it comes to the roles and titles of public figures. In today’s fast-paced world, where information spreads quickly across various platforms, ensuring the accuracy of the information being shared is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and confusion. The Kediri City Government’s commitment to improving its verification processes is a positive step toward ensuring that such errors do not occur in the future.
In conclusion, while Kaesang Pangarep’s visit to Kediri was an important occasion for local discussions on development, the mistake regarding his title served as a reminder of the critical need for accurate reporting. With the local government now taking steps to ensure better oversight and verification of information, the public can expect more reliable news from the Kediri City Government in the future.
Also Read : Hasto’s Attempt to Meet KPU Chairman on Harun Masiku’s PAW
