SUN TV journalist’s death under investigation

AMBON, Maluku: Southeast Maluku Police continue to investigate the death of SUN TV journalist Ridwan Salamun, who was killed on Saturday while covering a communal clash between villagers from Banda Ely and Fiditan in Tual, Maluku.

“We have questioned five witnesses. Hopefully we will be able to identify the perpetrators soon,” Southeast Maluku Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Saiful Rahman told The Jakarta Post via telephone Sunday.

Saiful said the police faced hurdles in their investigation since the conflicting groups were reluctant to talk to police.

He said conditions in Fiditan were calmer following the clash, in which a resident was injured and three houses were damaged. The Tual municipal administration also voiced plans to mediate the conflict between both parties at the mayor’s official residence on Sunday evening.

Maluku Media Center coordinator Insany Syahbarwaty called on police to solve the case as the journalist’s death was in public and witnessed by many people.

“He was killed while on the job as a journalist. We really hope the case will be prioritized.”

Ridwan’s body was flown to Ambon, from where it was taken to his house in Batumerah Puncak. The funeral was held the same day and was attended by fellow journalists and relatives. — JP