Ahmad Muzani: To Finish Shooting Journalists, Komnas HAM Needs To Form A Team

Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI Ahmad Muzani. (Special)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI Ahmad Muzani strongly condemned the death of Marasalem Harahap, an online media journalist in North Sumatra. He urged the police to resolve this case and the Komnas HAM to form a fact-finding team.

The same thing has also been expressed by many parties so that this case is immediately resolved. The Chairman of the Press Council, Mohammad Nuh, had a similar voice, then the chairman of the DRI DPD, La Nyalla Mattalitti, the chairman of the LPSK, Hasto Atmojo Suroyo, and several other figures.

“This investigation must be carried out seriously and thoroughly. Whatever the background of the incident. The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) needs to step in to form a fact-finding team," said Ahmad Muzani when receiving the General Chair of the Indonesian Cyber Media Union (SMSI) Firdaus and several organizational functionaries at his home, Islamic Village, Kelapa Dua, Tangerang, Sunday. , June 20.

Marsalem Harahap with the SMSI Siantar Simalungun administrator of North Sumatra, the late fifth from left. (Special)

According to Ahmad Muzani, who is also a Gerindra Party politician, the shooting incident that happened to Marasalem Harahap (42), a journalist and the Chief Editor of LasserNewsToday.com was not only the murder of Marasalem Harahap alias Marsal, but injured many things, especially the press and democracy. "This murder is also a threat to the state," said Ahmad Muzani accompanied by Deputy Secretary General of Girindra Ahmad Jojon Novandri.

According to Firdaus, the shooting that killed Marsal was not just an ordinary crime, but a heinous act that had a wide impact on the development of democracy.

“This shooting, apart from killing people in the press, also threatens the democratic character developed by the press. We know that the press is the 4th pillar of democracy, which in addition to controlling the course of democracy, is also the implementer of democracy," said Firdaus who was accompanied by SMSI Secretary General Mohammad Nasir, and member of the Central SMSI Advisory Council Ervik Ary Susanto.

Completely investigated

Muzani agrees with Firdaus' attitude that the Police must immediately complete the handling of the Marsal shooting case. There is no longer any reason why people shooting cases are not investigated. "It must be investigated thoroughly. Put the culprits on trial,” said Muzani.

Previously, the Chairman of the Press Council, Mohammad Nuh, on Saturday, June 19 also condemned the shooting of Marsal. “A sad news has again colored the life of the Indonesian press. Chief Editor of LasserNewsToday, Marasalem Harahap passed away Saturday June 2021," reads a statement from the Press Council signed by Mohammad Nuh.

Chairman of the Press Council Mohammad Nuh. (Intermediate Photo)

Noah also urged the police to immediately investigate this case seriously and thoroughly. “The perpetrator and the motive for the murder must be revealed. The sense of justice of the Mara Salem Harahap family must also be upheld."

Nuh appealed to the entire North Sumatran press community to pay attention to the issue of Marsal's murder and to proportionally assist the police in finding evidence and uncovering facts.

Two Wounds before Death

Mara Salem was shot by an unidentified person in his car, which is believed to be on his way back to his home in Karang Anyar Village, Gunung Maligas District, Simalungun Regency. Marsal suffered two injuries so that his life could not be saved.

Marsal shooting cases this week is not the only one. Previously, there were several attacks on media crews in Sumatra.

According to records, on May 29, 2021, there was a case of burning the house of Abdul Kohar Lubis, a reporter for Linktoday.com in Pematang Siantar City.

Then on May 31, the car of Metro TV journalist Pujianto was burned by an unknown person in Sergai. Then on June 13, 2021, the journalist's parents' house in Binjai was also burned by unknown people.

Marsalem Harahap with colleagues. (Special)

In a statement from the Press Council, June 19, 2021, it was explained that all parties who feel disadvantaged by the press must take the press dispute resolution procedure as regulated in the Press Law no. 40 of 1999, and the Press Council Regulation.

Meanwhile, the Press Council also asked all elements of the national press to always prioritize personal safety and obey the Journalistic Code of Ethics (KEJ) in carrying out their duties as journalists.