(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a 12 April 1999 AJI press release: Statement in Protest of the beating of a “Surya” Journalist by the East Java Governor The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) strongly protests the violent acts of the Governor of East Java, Imam Utomo, who struck Yudith Nainggolan, a journalist from the “Surya” […]
(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a 12 April 1999 AJI press release:
Statement in Protest of the beating of a “Surya” Journalist by the East Java
Governor
The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) strongly protests the violent
acts of the Governor of East Java, Imam Utomo, who struck Yudith Nainggolan,
a journalist from the “Surya” daily. This occurred on Saturday, 10 April
1999, as Yudith Nainggolan was interviewing Imam Utomo. During the
interview, Yudith questioned Imam Utomo’s involvement in a land case in
Malang. Imam Utomo did not however answer the question, but, as witnessed by
several other journalists, firmly struck Yudith’s stomach while screaming
out: “That’s my private business.” So severe was the blow that Yudith
staggered and fell.
Imam Utomo’s actions are clearly in violation of the law and freedom of the
press, as set down in the 1945 Constitution. As a government official, he
has acted arbitrarily in defiance of the law, and demonstrated the arrogance
of those in power. This is clearly a damaging precedent for press freedom in
Indonesia. Imam Utomo’s actions are not only a restriction on press freedom,
but also constitute a criminal act. As such, the offender must be tried in a
court of law. The arrogance Imam Utomo has demonstrated is reminiscent of
the New Order regime, a trait which should be but a distant memory in the
reform period.
In response to this incident, the Alliance of Independent Journalists:
1. Strongly protests the striking of journalist Yudith Nainggolan by
Governor Imam Utomo.
2. Demands that the police charge Imam Utomo in accordance with the relevant
law, because he has committed a criminal act.
3. Demands that Imam Utomo be removed from his post as governor of East
Java, because although he has only struck once, this incident demonstrated
that Imam Utomo does not have the capacity to serve as an official in the
reform era, when respect must be afforded to law, freedom of the press and
democracy.
4. Appeals yet again for all parties, particularly public officials and
ABRI, to respect freedom of the press as a pillar of democracy.
Jakarta, 12 April 1999
Chairperson
Lukas Luwarso
Coordinator, Advocacy Division
Ging Ginanjar
Secretary
Dadang RHs.
