Tempo Journalists Slammed, Flanked By Police Officers On May Day, DPR Member: National Police Chief Must Take Strict Action

Member of Commission III DPR RI Abdullah. (ANTARA/HO-DPR RI)

Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Abdullah, urged the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to take firm action against police officers who commit violence against journalists during the coverage of the Labor Day commemoration in Semarang, Central Java, Thursday, May 1.

Tempo journalist Jamal Abdun Nashr became a victim of violence by the authorities while covering the violent demonstration. According to Abdullah, the actions of these police officers strongly threaten press freedom and cannot be tolerated.

This is clearly a threat to journalists. They work under the protection of law. Violence against journalists must be stopped. The perpetrator must be dealt with," Abdullah said in a written statement, Friday, May 2.

In that incident, Jamal is said to have shown his press identity. However, he remains the target of acts of violence in the form of being pulled, flanked, beaten, and even slammed by the authorities. Not only that, the police officer also forced Jamal to delete the video recording containing the actions of the officers against the demonstration participants who had been recorded on his cellphone.

Abdullah called the action a form of arrogance and serious violation by the state apparatus. He asked the National Police Chief to immediately order the Propam Division to conduct an examination of the perpetrators.

"The National Police Chief must take firm action against his subordinates who violate the rules. This firmness is important so that it becomes a lesson for other police so as not to arbitrarily oppose journalists," he said.

Abdullah also emphasized the importance of protecting journalists in carrying out their duties, as guaranteed by law. He reminded that journalists are part of the pillars of democracy, and violence against them is a real threat to press freedom.

Data from the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia recorded 73 cases of violence against journalists and media throughout 2024. Meanwhile, the Press Legal Aid Institute (LBH) reported that there were 87 attacks on journalists, media, and resource persons throughout 2023.

Komnas Perempuan also revealed an increasing trend of violence against journalists, including gender-based violence experienced by female journalists.

There must be a real movement to protect journalists from violence. This cannot be allowed to continue," Abdullah concluded, the PKB faction legislator from the Central Java VI electoral district.