Intimidation Of Journalists In Bukittinggi, TNI Soldiers Arrested By Kodim 0304 Threatened With Sanctions

Illustration of journalists covering events in the field. (Pixabay-Engin_Akyurt)

SUMBAR - Kodim commander (Dandim) 0304 Agam took action against TNI soldiers who were suspected of intimidating and cursing journalists while on duty in Bukittinggi.

Dandim 0304 Agam Lieutenant Colonel Czi Renggo Yudi A said that members of the intelligence personnel of the 0304 Agam Kodim soldier with the initials VJ had been investigated. He stressed that his members were threatened with sanctions.

"It's true, there was an examination of a member who had a problem with journalists, we checked and asked for information regarding this, we have also communicated with the Chair of the Bukittinggi PWI, which will be followed up immediately," said Renggo Yudi, in Bukittinggi, quoted from Antara, Monday, October 11.

He said VJ would face military discipline law to account for his actions if found guilty.

"Yes, we are following up according to the Military Disciplinary Law and we are conducting an examination and we are making a telegram (STR) to all ranks of the Kodim so that this does not happen again," he said.

VJ is suspected of violating discipline and the Law on the Press when he was desperate to block the work of a journalist who was covering the field where a child was scalded with hot oil on Sunday, October 9th.

Wahyu Sikumbang, a journalist who was the victim of alleged intelligence intimidation by TNI Kodim 0304 soldiers, said that while in the emergency room at the hospital, the journalist from MNC Media Group was prevented from taking pictures of the victim by the perpetrator waving his hand at the camera.

Not wanting to make a fuss and disturb the patients and medical staff in the emergency room at the hospital, Wahyu left the room by continuing to record incident data.

At that time, it turned out that VJ followed out and approached Wahyu, resulting in an argument. "I was typing on my cellphone, then he came from the left side while forbidding to report the incident that happened to the child," Wahyu said, according to Antara.

The journalist, who is known to be close to the TNI and Polri apparatus, admitted that he was surprised and asked the reason for the ban.

"Why Bang? I didn't write about or link this incident with the Kodim, TNI or Wirabraja Field, I only wrote the scene in the cafeteria field," said Wahyu.

According to Wahyu, he and his mass media colleagues generally intentionally write Wirabraja Field as a canteen field, apart from being better known to the public as well as to maintain good relations with Kodim partners if sensitive incidents or cases occur there.

"However, the individual remained adamant while saying 'Don't report this, we will solve this, let us report it to Pasi first,' he said.

"Please, Bang, that's none of my business, because I didn't write the Kodim, so I don't need confirmation from the Pasi Intel or Dandim, that's your business, please, don't be a bit banned," Wahyu said.

Wahyu's response was apparently not accepted by VJ, so the intelligence of the TNI Kodim 0304 soldier went out of control.

"He cursed me in front of the crowd, he was cursing (the rudest cursing in West Sumatra), it was amusing he said, there were many witnesses who heard, there was also hospital security," said Wahyu.

Wahyu tried to remind his partner in the field, but again he was ignored and even challenged,

"Yes, I'm looking for you, what do you want, he said, OK, I said I didn't want to be provoked," he said.

Then this reporter left the hospital to continue reporting to the cafeteria field, until he met another friend who was covering the scene.

Knowing their professional colleagues are being bullied and verbally abused, a number of journalists respond to this professional harassment by coordinating.

"This has gone too far. So far, journalists have been silent, thought to be afraid, I agree that we should continue this issue," said Yursil, a reporter for Haluan.

"Let's meet the Dandim, let the Dandim summon the person in front of journalists and the Dandim must take a stand so that no more personnel violate press freedom, as a deterrent effect, it must be reported heavily," said Akhmad Ikhsan, a reporter for RRI Bukittinggi.

Other journalists said that this was not the only time this had happened. Some time ago, the same person also intimidated several journalists who carried news about alleged gambling activities at the canteen field night market.

"In the past, the journalist Rudi Jayaantara was also yelled at, threatened, they thought we had no self-respect," said Linda, a journalist for Indonesia Satu.

Head of PWI Bukittinggi Anasrul has contacted Pasi Intel Kodim 0304/Agam to promise to meet with the Dandim to discuss the actions of these soldiers.

"We will meet with Pasi Intel first and then we will go to the Dandim, we will see the results later, the point is that the person concerned apologizes to journalists and enlightens him and other soldiers so as not to hinder journalistic duties," said Anasrul.