Indonesian Journalists Asa Faces "Barriers" In Hong Kong

Indonesian journalist, Veby Mega Indah (doc. Photo: KY Cheng / SCMP)

JAKARTA - Indonesian journalist Veby Mega Indah had to give up the sight of his right eye after being shot by police while covering a demonstration in Hong Kong some time ago. Now he is determined to take legal action regarding what he experienced.

"He (Veby) has been informed that his right pupil was ruptured as a result of gunfire. The exact percentage of damage can only be known after surgery," said Veby's lawyer, Michael Vidler, quoted by the South China Morning Post, Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

As explained by Michael, his party had pocketed a number of strong evidence that could refute the arguments of the Hong Kong police. However, he has not received a response from the authorities in the Hong Kong country.

“We have filed a criminal complaint and asked for details of the identity of the shooters and what steps they (police) took to investigate. We have not received a substantive answer, "added Michael.

In Veby's account, when covering the pro-democracy demonstration in Hong Kong. He wore his full identity as a journalist, starting from his press identification vest to his ID card.

When the shooting incident occurred, Veby was also not alone because many fellow journalists joined him in the Wan Chai area, Hong Kong. Even just before the bullet hit Veby's right eye, many reporters dispelled it while shouting 'journalist'.

“I wear a helmet and glasses. I stand with other journalists. I heard a journalist shouting, 'Don't shoot, we are journalists'. But the police kept shooting. The next thing I know, I fell, "explains Veby.

Veby had to undergo surgery, but unfortunately doctors couldn't save his eye. Discharged from hospital about three weeks ago, Veby said his ruptured eyeball might have to be removed if his condition worsened.

Even though Veby has forgiven the perpetrator, Veby still takes legal action to solve it. This was done because the Hong Kong police did not reveal the identity of the police who shot him in the eye.

"I hope there will be justice, so that the officer who shot me will face consequences according to the law, so that the police officers understand what they cannot do," Veby said.

Veby has been in journalism for 13 years. He set foot in Hong Kong in 2012 and often writes news related to the rights of Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong.

Dealing with the Hong Kong authorities

Yuli Rismawati, who has worked in Hong Kong as a journalist for a decade had to accept the fact that she was about to be deported. This happened after Yuli wrote the news about Hong Kong's pro-democracy demonstrations.

Before Hong Kong's pro-democracy demonstrations that broke out in June, he frequently wrote stories about the activities of Indonesian workers in Hong Kong. But since the demonstration has spread, Yuli has covered demonstrations every Sunday or every time she has a day off. He also stated that the articles he wrote were factual news and did not include his personal opinion.

According to the Hong Kong Free Press, Yuli was arrested at her residence on September 23 for not extending her visa which expired on July 27. The court did not show any evidence that Yuli did not extend her visa, but there was another explanation that the reason Yuli was detained was because she had no place to live, even though she lived with her employer.

Yuli has a two-year work contract starting in January 2019 and her employer has asked to extend Yuli's visa as their family will continue to employ her.

Calling for solidarity! "I am pursuing justice in this case not only for me but for all the injured people in Hong Kong who cannot do the same." - Veby Mega Indahcr: Ellena - Syndicated pic.twitter.com/ts92ssAvKc

- Journalist Safety Committee (@jurnalisaman) December 4, 2019

Yuli said she always asked for the visa extension form she would fill out in custody, but immigration officials kept putting it off. He was not given an extension form. Instead, he was forced to write a visa extension cancellation letter. Because Yuli was in a fever that never recovered, she was finally forced to write a cancellation of the visa extension. He returned to Indonesia on a Hong Kong - Surabaya flight.

Even though he was not treated fairly, Yuli admitted that he was happy and moved to see the people who defended him. Perhaps his return to Indonesia was the best decision he should accept.