Gowa Regent Rejects Inquiry Committee, Accuses It of Straying into Private Domain

Gowa Regent Sitti Husniah Talenrang has rejected the ongoing deliberations of the Special Committee (Pansus) on the Right of Inquiry, accusing it of straying into her private life. She also refuted the testimonies of several witnesses presented during the committee’s hearings. “I greatly respect the duties and obligations of council members in carrying out their oversight function, but I firmly object if the inquiry’s discussions have deviated into the personal domain, unrelated to public policy,” she stated in Gowa, as reported by Antara on Wednesday (24/6/2026). Sitti Husniah Talenrang affirmed her readiness to face any legal process regarding the polemic under discussion by the Gowa DPRD’s Special Committee on the Right of Inquiry. She argued that every individual has a right to privacy that must be respected, and that excessive intervention into personal life violates both regulations and ethics. “Regarding the testimonies of several witnesses in the Pansus session, including the involvement of a journalist as a witness, I question its legality. I would like to remind that under Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, a journalist should not serve as a witness in a Pansus or inquiry hearing because it contravenes the journalistic code of ethics,” she said. She also denied claims regarding the frequency of her meetings with a witness identified by the initial E. The Regent explained that their meeting occurred only once during a breaking-of-the-fast event with the media at the official residence, and she always communicates wisely. “The claim that the witness and I met frequently and discussed certain matters is not factual,” she clarified. The Regent stated she is prepared to provide clarification and present concrete facts to prove that the accusations against her are untrue. She emphasised her position as a single parent fully responsible for her child, asserting that any narrative intended to corner her character will be legally challenged. She confirmed that her legal team is ready to take necessary legal steps, both during and after the inquiry process, depending on how the situation develops. Despite acknowledging disruptions caused by issues deliberately thrown into the public sphere, Sitti Husniah assured that the administration of Gowa Regency continues to function as normal.