(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 31 May 2001 letter to Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, CPJ condemned the recent attack on six journalists by some of the president’s political supporters in Tegal, Central Java. The attack was perpetrated by members of a group calling itself Laskar Diponegoro, which is composed of Wahid’s supporters from both the ruling […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 31 May 2001 letter to Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, CPJ condemned the recent attack on six journalists by some of the president’s political supporters in Tegal, Central Java.
The attack was perpetrated by members of a group calling itself Laskar Diponegoro, which is composed of Wahid’s supporters from both the ruling National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), a grassroots Islamic organization. On 24 May, Laskar Diponegoro held a violent rally against its political rival, the National Mandate Party (PAN), during which the house of a PAN official was torched.
After noticing the presence of journalists, several protesters abused them verbally and then assaulted them with metal poles and sticks, according to local and international sources.
Six reporters were injured in the attack, including Agus Wijanarko of the Jakarta-based daily newspaper “Republika”, who was beaten so severely that he suffered a concussion and was in the hospital for five days. The other injured journalists were Yon Daryon of the private television station Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia, Thomas of the private television station Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (like many Indonesians, he is known by only one name), Marsis of the daily newspaper “Pikiran Rakyat”, Bambang Mudjono of the local newspaper “Radar Tegal”, and Sarjono of the national newspaper “Sinar Pagi”.
CPJ believes that immediate steps must be taken lest the president’s political supporters construe inaction as a license to attack the press.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– urging his government to undertake a prompt and full investigation into the incident
– calling on him to ensure that Indonesian law enforcement authorities swiftly apprehend those responsible
Appeals To
His Excellency Abdurrahman Wahid
President, Republic of Indonesia
Office of the President
Bina Graha, Jalan Veteran No. 1
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 778 182
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
