Komnas HAM Processes Complaints from Junior Doctors Over Withheld Professional Certificates

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is currently processing complaints regarding alleged human rights violations submitted by the Indonesian Young Doctors Movement concerning the withholding of professional certificates.

During a meeting with Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Thursday, the Chair of Komnas HAM, Anis Heydah, stated that the complaint was received on 8 June 2026. Komnas HAM is currently analysing the complaint for further processing.

“Komnas HAM has conducted an analysis in the form of an event construction. We are also requesting various documents from the Indonesian Young Doctors Movement, which are essential for Komnas HAM to complete and deepen our investigation into the reported case,” Anis explained.

She noted that among the various complaints received by Komnas HAM, there are 1,023 prospective doctors from 38 universities facing uncertain futures. According to her, this issue deserves collective attention, especially as Indonesia is currently facing a shortage of medical doctors.

“Indonesia—with a population of 270 million people—requires 278,000 doctors, based on a prevalence of at least one doctor per thousand inhabitants, but our current position stands at only 179,000. This means Indonesia is currently short by 105,000 doctors,” she said.

Based on the complaints received, the problem is rooted in the Regulation of the Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Number 18 of 2018 concerning the National Standards for Medical Education. This regulation stipulates that professional programmes for doctors and dentists must be conducted for a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years. Meanwhile, students must pass competency tests to obtain their professional certificates.

Anis stated that this ministerial regulation has become one of the obstacles for prospective doctors to obtain their professional titles. They have been asked to transfer campuses, resign, or even face expulsion because they have exceeded the maximum study period.

“What these prospective doctors are seeking is clarity, legal certainty, and a fair resolution, because they have essentially completed their professional education or clinical rotations (koas), but are hindered by study duration policies that result in them being dropped out or forced to transfer or resign,” she said.

This situation, she added, can lead to various impacts. In addition to potential financial and psychological losses, prospective doctors also face the risk of interrupted career paths as their opportunities to pursue further education are disrupted.

Furthermore, the wider public could be affected as the distribution of medical personnel becomes hindered. “The cases occurring with these doctors could obstruct the distribution of medical personnel that is so desperately needed in various regions. In reality, we are still short of over 105,000 doctors, so why is there a policy that actually prevents doctors from being able to work?” Anis remarked.

To gather further information, Komnas HAM has scheduled requests for clarification from various relevant parties, including the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, the Minister of Health, and the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI).

“Hopefully, we can expedite this because this case has been ongoing for quite some time, especially since there are many victims and it could impact the fulfilment of the public’s right to health,” she concluded.