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Press associations express concern over AGO’s arrest of JakTV chief editor
Journalists' associations have spoken out against the AGO's move to detain JakTV chief editor Tian Bahtiar for obstruction of justice in a bribery case, cautioning against setting a precedent that could threaten the constitutional right to freedom of speech and of the press.
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JakTV editor in chief Tian Bahtiar (center) is escorted by security officers to a prisoner transport vehicle on April 22, 2025, following his questioning at the Attorney General’s Office in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. Antara/Indrianto Eko Suwarso/foc (Antara/Indrianto Eko Suwarso)
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everal journalists' associations have expressed concern over the arrest of JakTV editor in chief Tian Bahtiar for obstruction of justice, fearing the move could set a troubling precedent for press freedom in the country.
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) arrested Tian on Tuesday, accusing him of accepting Rp 478 million (US$28,337) from two lawyers in exchange for negative news designed to undermine the AGO’s investigations into two high-profile corruption cases.
The AGO stated that Tian and lawyers Marcella Santoso and Junaedi Saibih "conspired”, either directly or indirectly, to obstruct or hinder its investigations into graft at state-owned tin miner PT Timah and a separate case related to sugar imports involving former trade minister Thomas Lembong.
Marcella and Junaedi were on the legal team representing Harvey Moeis, one of 14 individuals convicted in the Timah corruption case that incurred an estimated US$20 billion in state losses.
As for the sugar import case, the AGO has faced public scrutiny over its arrest of Thomas, many alleging that the move was politically motivated.
Tian, Marcella and Junaedi have been charged under Article 21 of the 2001 Corruption Law on obstruction of justice in graft cases, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine of Rp 600 million.
The Journalists Safety Committee (KKJ) expressed concern that reckless use of obstruction of justice charges could pave the way for the criminalization of public criticism on how corruption cases were handled, as well as threaten freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution.
