(AJI/IFEX) — The following is an action alert by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member: In a letter to the national police chief, General Suroyo Bimantoro, SEAPA-Jakarta expressed deep concern over the rise of gang attacks on newspapers in the South Sumatra capital Palembang. The latest incident happened on […]
(AJI/IFEX) — The following is an action alert by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member:
In a letter to the national police chief, General Suroyo Bimantoro, SEAPA-Jakarta expressed deep concern over the rise of gang attacks on newspapers in the South Sumatra capital Palembang.
The latest incident happened on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2001, when gangsters led by well-known mob leaders Sukma, Tohyib and Atai came to the “Sumatera Ekspres” daily offices and threatened to destroy the office facilities. The men were angered by the paper’s continuous reporting on jackpot gambling activity in the KM14 area, near the border of Palembang and Musi Banyu Asin.
The gangsters told one of the newspaper’s editorial staff, Mahmud, that the gambling activity, which the newspaper referred to as “Mickey Mouse gambling”, was also done to give jobs to the unemployed. Each employee is given about Rp 50 000 (approximately US$ 4.60) per night for his or her work.
The men demanded that the “Sumatera Ekspres” – a “Jawa Pos Group” newspaper – stop reporting on the Mickey Mouse game.
An earlier attack on media offices took place on 18 April when more than fifteen thugs, led by the same Sukma and Atai, along with another leader, Ibrahim, came to the “Sriwijaya Post” offices. They were angered by similar reporting and also demanded that the newspaper stop reporting on gambling activity.
“You people are no angels,” said gang leader Sukma. “Why bother other people’s source of food and nose in on gambling matters. I can send people to destroy you.”
The thugs also offered the newspaper money, but management refused.
Negotiations continued the next morning. The “Sriwijaya Post” finally gave in. The next day the paper stopped reporting on gambling activities at the KM14 area, reportedly funded by a businessman named Chandra from Lampung.
“There were only two choices, to give up or to fight,” said a “Sriwijaya Post” journalist. He said conditions were not favourable to the “Sriwijaya Post”.
The gangsters in Palembang, who are usually in conflict with each other, united in a common front in this gambling case. Sukma, Ibrahim and Atai, who used to fight among each other, stuck together on this matter.
“We felt we’re on our own, that’s why we succumbed to them,” said the “Sriwijaya Post” journalist.
SEAPA promises that, along with other media advocacy groups worldwide, it will monitor this case with great concern.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the national police chief:
– stating that besides running an illegal activity, the gangsters have prevented Palembang journalists from doing their work
– demanding that the authorities side with justice, instead of the gamblers and gangsters
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency General (Police) Suroyo Bimantoro
National Police Chief
Jl Trunojoyo No.3
South Jakarta, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 720 7277
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
For further information, contact the Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI), Jl. LAN I no. 12 A, Pejompongan, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia, tel: +62 21 5711 044/056, fax: +62 21 5711 063, e-mail: ajioffice@aji-indonesia.or.id, Internet: http://www.ajinews.or.id
