The following is a 17 February 2000 press release by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member: PROTEST OF MOBS’ RAMPAGES TOWARDS MEDIA IN WEST PAPUA The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta office strongly condemns mob attacks against the Merauke and Fakfak Radio Republik Indonesia’s (RRI, the government-owned radio […]
The following is a 17 February 2000 press release by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member:
PROTEST OF MOBS’ RAMPAGES TOWARDS MEDIA IN WEST PAPUA
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta office strongly condemns mob attacks against the Merauke and Fakfak Radio Republik Indonesia’s (RRI, the government-owned radio station) buildings and facilities and the office of Irja Pos, a daily newspaper. The devastation of Merauke RRI was carried out by hundreds of people on Wednesday, February 16, 2000. These people had just come back from a demonstration protesting the autonomy package implemented in Merauke, West Papua, Indonesia. On their way home, hundreds of protesters came to the Merauke RRI offices. The station is considered a voice for the district government, used to publicise the autonomy policy. The mass of people, who were armed with knives, bows and swords, violently attacked the government’s radio station. They proceeded to destroy the buildings and some facilities. Thus far, RRI has been unable to broadcast.
A similar incident occurred three weeks ago in the district of Fakfak, West Papua. On Friday January 28, 2000, a group of militiamen, who were pro-independent and called themselves Satuan Tugas (SATGAS) Papua, ran amuck in the Fakfak RRI station office. Before the rampage, the militia demanded that RRI broadcast live their statement on independence. However, one of the RRI chiefs, Aloys Ngutra, refused to do so. Because of the refusal, the militiamen destroyed the buildings and facilities. The financial loss was estimated at approximately 400 million rupiahs. Moreover, the station could not broadcast for four days.
Meanwhile, two days before the Fakfak incident, another incident took place in Jayapura, the capital city of West Papua. On Wenesday, January 26, 2000 a group of people who claimed they were students from the Institute Sains dan Teknologi Jayapura (ISTJ), attacked the Irja Pos office. They were angry because on January 24 Irja Pos published an article which accused the director of ISTJ, Drs Ali Kastela, of being corrupt. After the incident, Irja Pos published a letter for three days in a row, apologizing to Ali Kastela.
In the light of the outbreak directed at the media, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta:
1. Condemns the masses’ rampages against Merauke and Fakfak RRI and Irja Pos.
2. Appeals to all parties to contribute to putting an end to violent acts against journalists and media.
3. Appeals to any parties that have an objection to a journalist’s report, to express their dissatisfaction by using the right of reply or by referring the matters to the court.
4. Appeals to all journalists to ensure that they always work in an independent and professional manner, never favoring one side but rather favoring only the facts, truth and justice.
5. Hopes that journalists will not be affected by these incidents and will continue to work in accordance with the requirements of their profession.
Jakarta, 17 February 2000
Lukas Luwarso Solahudin
Secretary General
