Ministry of Health Affirms Dismissal of Dr Piprim Basarah as Civil Servant Is Unrelated to Policy Criticism

Jakarta, VIVA – The Ministry of Health has spoken out regarding the dismissal of paediatric cardiac consultant and chairman of the Indonesian Paediatricians Association (IDAI), Dr Piprim Basarah Yunarso. Ministry of Health spokesperson drg. Widyawati explained that Dr Piprim’s dismissal as a civil servant within the Ministry of Health was unrelated to his criticism of Ministry policies.

When confirmed by journalists in Jakarta, Widyawati explained that Dr Piprim’s dismissal as a civil servant within the Ministry was due to his being absent for 28 consecutive days after being transferred from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) Jakarta to Fatmawati Central General Hospital (RSUP Fatmawati) at the end of March 2025.

“The Director of Fatmawati Central General Hospital Jakarta, Dr Wahyu Widodo, has confirmed that Dr Piprim Basarah’s dismissal as a civil servant is unrelated to his criticism of Ministry of Health policies. Dr Wahyu also affirmed that Dr Piprim’s dismissal was because he was absent for more than 28 consecutive working days following his transfer from RSCM Jakarta to RSUP Fatmawati at the end of March 2025,” she said in Jakarta on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

Widyawati further explained that Dr Piprim’s action of being absent for 28 consecutive working days without valid reason cumulatively constituted a violation of Government Regulation Number 94 of 2021 concerning Civil Service Discipline. The regulation provides for honourable dismissal not at one’s own request as a civil servant for those who are absent from work without valid reason cumulatively for 28 working days or more within one year.

Widyawati also revealed that the dismissal had followed all applicable rules and procedures. RSUP Fatmawati had issued warning letters on multiple occasions accompanied by written disciplinary sanctions. However, Dr Piprim did not report for duty.

“He appeared once during the examination process on 8 October 2025. From that session, it was established that the individual was already aware of the consequences of his actions and had acted consciously. Based on this account, the individual was proven to have committed a serious disciplinary violation, namely never reporting for work without valid reason at RSUP Fatmawati since his transfer from RSCM to Fatmawati,” she said.