Kompolnas Highlights Harassment Of TV Journalists With HP Cameras By Dirlantas Polda Central Sulawesi

Member of Kompolnas Poengky Indarti. (ANTARA PHOTO/Reno Esnir/ama/aa)

JAKARTA - Member of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) Poengky Indarti responded to a case of alleged harassment of SCTV journalists by the Director of Traffic (Dirlantas) of the Central Sulawesi Regional Police (Polda) Police Commissioner Dodi Darjanto in Palu City.

"Kompolnas really regrets that the Directorate of Traffic and Traffic of the Central Sulawesi Police refuses to be interviewed by journalists just because of an interview using a cellphone," said Poengky when contacted from Palu City, Thursday, July 18, as reported by Antara.

He emphasized that Kompolnas would clarify to the Central Sulawesi Regional Police regarding this matter.

According to him, journalists and the media are partners of the National Police so they must respect and support each other. "Each party must understand each other so that they can carry out their duties properly," he said.

He suggested, if there is a misunderstanding or there are things that are considered to cause heartache, it would be nice for both parties to meet each other and apologize.

Poengky hopes that the problem can be resolved properly.

The Central Sulawesi Regional Police are one of the institutions that received appreciation from the National Police Commission (Kompolnas). The Award Charter was received by the Central Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Agus Nugroho at the 2024 Kompolnas Award Award Award Award Award Event which was handed over by the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo in Jakarta, Wednesday, July 17.

Previously, the incident began when Syamsuddin Tobone, who is the Head of the Palu SCTV Bureau, wanted to conduct an interview with Police Commissioner Dodi Darjanto at the 0 Kilometer Monument, Palu City, in order to cover the results of the 2024 Tinombala Compliance Operation on the first day.

"I have made an interview since yesterday through his aide. After greetings and acquaintances, I want to start recording. He immediately said, why record interviews using cellphones? I don't want to. Cook interviews using cellphones, Chinese brand cellphones again. Tell your director to buy sophisticated cellphones," said Syamsuddin.

Meanwhile, Dodi Darjanto, in his apology delivered on Thursday, July 18, in front of a number of Central Sulawesi journalists and representatives of four press organizations, namely IJTI Central Sulawesi, AJI Palu, PFI Palu, and AMSI Central Sulawesi admitted that their actions were a mistake that was made without an element of intent.

"What I made a mistake, there was no intention of anything. The point was that I was just joking but it happened like this. There was no intention, sir," said Dodi Darjanto.

Although an apology has been conveyed and accepted by Central Sulawesi journalists to maintain a working relationship between journalists and the Central Sulawesi Regional Police, Central Sulawesi IJTI, Palu AJI, Palu PFI, and Central Sulawesi AMSI who are members of the Roemah Journalists Community, they still demand firm action from the leadership of the National Police regarding the attitude of the Central Sulawesi Police Traffic Director who is considered verbal violence and must be taken seriously.