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Police arrest two over murder of journalists in N. Sumatra
The police in Labuhan Batu, North Sumatra, have arrested two people and are hunting down four others over their alleged role in the murder of journalists-cum-activists Maraden Sianipar and Maratua P
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span>The police in Labuhan Batu, North Sumatra, have arrested two people and are hunting down four others over their alleged role in the murder of journalists-cum-activists Maraden Sianipar and Maratua P. Siregar last week.
Both victims were found dead on Oct. 30 in Wonosari village of Panai Hilir district, Labuhan Batu regency, with stab wounds all over their bodies.
The alleged perpetrators were apprehended near their residences in Wonosari village early Tuesday. The police also seized a motorcycle as evidence.
Based on the police's preliminary investigation, Labuhan Batu Police criminal investigation unit head Adj. Comr. Jama Kita Purba said the motive behind the murder was "revenge over a land dispute".
The two allegedly committed the murder together with four others who are still at large.
"We are still hunting down the other four murder suspects […]," Jama said on Tuesday.
He added that all of the perpetrators would be charged under Article 340 of the Criminal Code on premeditated murder. If found guilty, the suspects could face the death penalty.
The victims were found dead in a ditch near an oil palm plantation controlled by PT Sei Alih Berombang, also known as multi-business cooperative (KSU) Amelia, in Wonosari village last week.
Before working as freelance journalists, Maraden and Maratua worked for local weekly Pilar Indonesia Merdeka (Pindo Merdeka). The two were also known for their activism and advocated for residents involved in land disputes.
Panai Hilir Police head Adj. Comr. Budiarto said investigators found indications that the journalists’ deaths were related to their activism.
“[Maratua] often advocated for the people,” he said, adding that the police had summoned six witnesses in the case.
Meanwhile, Labuhan Batu Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Darojat said there was still no strong evidence connecting the homicides to the land dispute.
Maratua’s friend Johan said the victim was an active member of human rights groups, namely Motherland Defenders and Alliance of Indonesia’s Saviors.
Prior to their deaths, Maraden and Maratua were advocating for Panai Hilir residents involved in a dispute over an oil palm concession formerly under the control of KSU Amelia.
"The victims had fought for the land with Panai Hilir residents for nearly 10 years. This year, the government took over the management of the 350-hectare plot of land," said Johan. The land had been abandoned since the transfer of ownership.
Johan said that before they were found dead, Maratua and Maraden were planning to meet with local officials to convince them to allow residents to manage the land.
The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) and the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) condemned the murders and urged the police to thoroughly investigate the case. AJI advocacy head Erick Tanjung said violence against journalists in Indonesia was common because past cases had been left unresolved.
A recent report from UNESCO revealed that similar violence widely occurs elsewhere, with close to 500 journalists being killed between 2014 and 2018 worldwide.
The report also found a continuing trend of widespread impunity as nearly 90 percent of cases involving the deaths of journalists remain unsolved.
“When journalists are targeted, societies as a whole pay a price,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement to mark International Day to End Impunity Against Journalists, which falls on Nov. 2. “Without the ability to protect journalists, our ability to remain informed and contribute to decision-making is severely hampered.” (vny)
