G

roups of journalists across the country staged protests against attacks on members of the press by military personnel on Wednesday.

The journalists also urged the Air Force to investigate fully Tuesday’s incident in Pekanbaru, Riau Islands, following the crash of an Air Force Hawk 200 jet.

Five reporters who were covering the crash — Didik Herwanto (Riau Pos daily), Andika Pratama (Vokal daily), FB Rian Anggoro (Antara news agency), Robi Fahrianto (Riau TV) and M. Arifin (TV One) — were beaten and kicked by members of the Air Force. Their cameras were seized by Air Force officers during the assault.

In Pekanbaru, journalists gathered at the Air Force Military Police headquarters, demanding that officials immediately begin an investigation of the incident to hasten the legal process.

Didik, one of the victims, made it clear that he did not want reconciliation with the perpetrators.

“I’ve heard that Air Force commander Roesmin Nurjadin told journalists that reconciliation had been made. This is absolutely not true. There will be no reconciliation, there will be no ‘peace deal’,” said Didik.

Didik, Rian Anggoto, and Robi provided statements about the incident to the Air Force Military Police on Wednesday.

“We will follow up the victims’ reports,” said Air Force Military Police Commandant Mayor Hary
Muhammad A.

Numerous journalists associations, including South Sumatra Journalists Forum, the Indonesian Photojournalists Association (PFI), the Tangerang Journalists Community, the Alliance of Independent Journalists and the Makassar Indonesian Journalists Association (PJI), joined mass rallies which took place simultaneously across the country in Medan in North Sumatra, Pekanbaru in Riau Islands, Tangerang in Banten, Bandung in West Java and Makassar in South Sulawesi.

Hundreds of journalists also staged a protest in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta.

Tangerang Journalist Working Group (Pokja) chairman Denny Irawan demanded that the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief take strong measures against members of the Air Force involved in the incident, while the Independent Journalists Alliance (AJI) Makassar chairman Mardiana Rusli urged that the case should not only be dealt with in a military tribunal but also in a criminal court.

“Violence against journalists is a crime and, therefore, [the case] should be tried in a state court as well,” Mardiana said.

In Bandung, journalists urged the Indonesian media to stop covering TNI events.

The journalists also called on the government to intensify the dissemination of the 1999 Press Law in order to improve understanding on how journalism works.

In Padang, West Sumatra, 100 journalists drove in convoy around the city, condemning the brutality, while dozens of photographers in Semarang, Central Java, staged a theatrical rally to express their anger at the incident.

Meanwhile, TNI commander Adm. Agus Suhartono apologized for assaults on journalists by Air Force personnel in Riau.

“I am concerned over this unexpected incident. I, as the leader of the TNI, hereby apologize to the mass media, especially to the journalists involved in the incident,” Agus said.

“I agree that the measures taken by my men went beyond the limits. Therefore, I have asked the relevant units to take the necessary measures to follow up the incidents, including legal action against military personnel committing violence and other violations,” he added.

Ainur Rohmah, Andi Hajramurni, Arya Dipa, Bagus BT Saragih, Multa Fidrus, Rizal Harahap, Syofiardi Bachyul Jb contributed reporting