(AJI/IFEX) – The following is an action alert by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member: In a 25 May 2001 letter to Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, SEAPA-Jakarta expressed deep concern over continuous intimidation of the press by Gus Dur supporters. On Thursday 24 May, six journalists were attacked and […]
(AJI/IFEX) – The following is an action alert by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member:
In a 25 May 2001 letter to Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, SEAPA-Jakarta expressed deep concern over continuous intimidation of the press by Gus Dur supporters.
On Thursday 24 May, six journalists were attacked and beaten by some of the president’s supporters, who call themselves Laskar Diponogoro. This act of violence took place near Jalan Adiwerna, Tegal, at 1:35 p.m. (local time). The six journalists were reporting on the removal of the National Mandate Party’s flag, a party headed by Amien Rais – one of the president’s political foes.
The masses taking part in this event were enraged when they realized that journalists were recording their activities. When they realized this, some of them began to scream. “Look out, there is an agent of distortion here,” said one of them. Others then joined in saying, “SCTV is a fabricator.” They did not merely hurl verbal abuses at the journalists, but also started to physically attack them. “Republika” journalist Agus Wijanarko, who was operating a digital camera at the time, was hit in the face and his camera was seized and thrown away. Wijanarko tried to grab his camera but about twenty to twenty-five people hit him on the head and in the stomach. This attack has left Wijanarko with eye and stomach wounds and a concussion. Five other journalists were also attacked – Yon Daryono, a reporter for Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI); Thomas, a journalist from Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI); Marsis of “Pikiran Rakyat”; Bambang Mudjono of Radar Tegal and Sarjono of “Sinar Pagi”. They suffered head and leg injuries from metal poles and sticks used to attack them.
The beatings only stopped when local residents and Adiwerna police came to their rescue. Apart from beating the journalists, Wijanarko’s digital camera and Thomas’ camera were destroyed.
Between May 2000 and May 2001, SEAPA has recorded twelve acts of intimidation and violence towards journalists by the president’s supporters. These figures demonstrate that the president’s supporters are the most frequent attackers of the press in Indonesia.
SEAPA feels that by attacking the press, the supporters jeopardize the democracy anticipated by all and the supremacy of the law, a matter frequently championed by the president. SEAPA feels that their way of settling a problem is far removed from a fair and just legal procedure.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– demanding that he make efforts to constrain his supporters, thus proving that he is committed to democracy and supremacy of the law
– condemning the acts of violence and intimidation against the press made by the president’s supporters
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Abdurrahman Wahid
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Office of the President
Bina Graha, Jalan Veteran No. 17
Central Jakarta, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 345 2685
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
