(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a 31 March 2003 letter by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member: Jakarta, March 31 2003 Southeast Sulawesi Police Chief Brigadier General H Tengku Ashikin Husein Jl. Panjaitan, No. 1, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi Tel/Fax: +62 401 390 005 Kendari Police Chief Sumariyoto Jl. Mohammad […]
(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a 31 March 2003 letter by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member:
Jakarta, March 31 2003
Southeast Sulawesi Police Chief
Brigadier General H Tengku Ashikin Husein
Jl. Panjaitan, No. 1, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi
Tel/Fax: +62 401 390 005
Kendari Police Chief
Sumariyoto
Jl. Mohammad Hatta, No. 86, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi
Tel: +62 401 321 461
Fax: +62 401 321 643
Dear Sirs,
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta condemns the Kendari Police Department for summoning three Kendari journalists – Muhammad Aksa (Kendari Ekspres daily), Rustam (Kendari Pos daily), and Halim (Media Indonesia daily/Metro TV) – as witnesses in a defamation case that involves Southeast Sulawesi Police Commissioner Brigadier General H. Tengku Ashikin Husein and the Chair of the Southeast Sulawesi chapter of the People’s Aspiration Council (MARA).
The police action was brought about by a press conference organised by MARA on March 24, 2003, at Hotel Aden Kendari. During the press conference, MARA Chairperson Hidayatullah demanded the dismissal of the Southeast Sulawesi Police Commissioner, Brigadier General H. Tengku Ashikin Husein, for his alleged collusion with rich businessman Tomy Winata. MARA accused the Southeast Sulawesi Police Department of receiving Rp1.34 billion in bribes. MARA also said the commissioner had acted in a discriminatory fashion in handling legal cases, especially political finance cases, during the Southeast Sulawesi gubernatorial election.
Commissioner H. Tengku Ashikin Husein said the statement made by Hidayatullah was defamatory, and reported the MARA chairperson to Kendari Police Headquarters. The police responded by calling in a number of witnesses, including the three Kendari journalists who attended the press conference.
As an organisation dedicated to the protection of journalists and the promotion of press freedom, SEAPA Jakarta condemns the summoning of the journalists. SEAPA urges the Southeast Sulawesi Police Department and Kendari Police Headquarters to revoke its summons of the three journalists. Journalists are witnesses to events and their reports can be seen, read or listened to via their media. Police must allow journalists to work freely and professionally. The press must operate without fear of police questioning every piece that is produced.
For the police’s information, Article 4, Paragraph 4, Regulation No.40/1999, gives journalists the right to refuse police questioning. Article 170 of the Criminal Code also states: “Those who, because of their duties or positions, are obliged to keep information classified, can be freed from the obligation to provide such information as witnesses”. SEAPA and other media advocacy organisations worldwide will monitor this case closely.
Yours Respectfully,
Lukas Luwarso
Country Director
Solahudin
Advocacy Coordinator
Recommended Action
Similar appeals can be sent to:
Southeast Sulawesi Police Chief
Brigadier General H Tengku Ashikin Husein
Jl. Panjaitan, No. 1, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi
Tel/Fax: +62 401 390 005
Kendari Police Chief
Sumariyoto
Jl. Mohammad Hatta, No. 86, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi
Tel: +62 401 321 461
Fax: +62 401 321 643
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