Health Minister Speaks on Dismissal of Doctor Piprim Basarah
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has affirmed that the dismissal of paediatric cardiology consultant Piprim Basarah Yanuarso was carried out due to disciplinary violations as a civil servant (ASN), and not as a result of differing views or criticism of ministry policies.
"It is not possible for a civil servant to be dismissed just like that without clear reasons," Budi said when asked for confirmation via text message on Monday, 16 February 2026.
According to Budi, Piprim was terminated for being absent for 28 consecutive working days after being transferred from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) to Fatmawati Central General Hospital (RSUP Fatmawati). The absence was deemed to be in violation of Government Regulation Number 94 of 2021 concerning Civil Servant Discipline.
Fatmawati Central General Hospital Director Wahyu Widodo explained that the hospital had issued a summons letter to Piprim. However, the doctor reportedly did not comply with the summons and never reported for duty at his new posting.
"He was dismissed for being absent for 28 consecutive days. This violates Government Regulation Number 94 of 2021," Wahyu said.
He stated that management had made various communication efforts, including reminding Piprim via WhatsApp messages that he had been transferred to Fatmawati Hospital. Despite this, Piprim still did not report for duty.
The dismissal decision was handed down in accordance with prevailing regulations. He was deemed to have committed a serious disciplinary violation in the form of absence from work without valid reason.
Previously, Piprim stated that he was dismissed after refusing a transfer which he considered inconsistent with the meritocratic principles governing the civil service. He also linked the transfer to his stance in championing the independence of the paediatric medical collegium alongside colleagues at the Indonesian Paediatric Association (IDAI).
"It is not possible for a civil servant to be dismissed just like that without clear reasons," Budi said when asked for confirmation via text message on Monday, 16 February 2026.
According to Budi, Piprim was terminated for being absent for 28 consecutive working days after being transferred from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) to Fatmawati Central General Hospital (RSUP Fatmawati). The absence was deemed to be in violation of Government Regulation Number 94 of 2021 concerning Civil Servant Discipline.
Fatmawati Central General Hospital Director Wahyu Widodo explained that the hospital had issued a summons letter to Piprim. However, the doctor reportedly did not comply with the summons and never reported for duty at his new posting.
"He was dismissed for being absent for 28 consecutive days. This violates Government Regulation Number 94 of 2021," Wahyu said.
He stated that management had made various communication efforts, including reminding Piprim via WhatsApp messages that he had been transferred to Fatmawati Hospital. Despite this, Piprim still did not report for duty.
The dismissal decision was handed down in accordance with prevailing regulations. He was deemed to have committed a serious disciplinary violation in the form of absence from work without valid reason.
Previously, Piprim stated that he was dismissed after refusing a transfer which he considered inconsistent with the meritocratic principles governing the civil service. He also linked the transfer to his stance in championing the independence of the paediatric medical collegium alongside colleagues at the Indonesian Paediatric Association (IDAI).