KUPANG - Dozens of journalists who are members of the NTT Journalists Forum held a peaceful demonstration in front of the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Police Office, Kupang, Wednesday, April 27. This action urged the authorities to thoroughly investigate the persecution case against a journalist named Fabian Latuan.
Various posters were also brought by the media crew in the action. For example 'Who silences the press is the enemy of truth' and 'Our writings may be bitter but we sew the truth.'
Field Coordinator of the NTT Journalists Forum, Frid W Lado, called for the police not to turn a blind eye to the incident of abuse that had befallen a journalist in Kupang while carrying out journalistic duties.
"We want this case to be investigated and the perpetrators of the abuse immediately arrested by the police," he said at the NTT Police Office, Antara, Wednesday, April 27.
They also demanded to meet directly with the Head of the NTT Police, Inspector General Setyo Budiyanto, to present a number of their demands.
Meanwhile, Laurens Leba Tukan, in his speech, asked the police to protect the journalistic work carried out by journalists. "We ask for our work to be protected. No matter how small our work, please be appreciated," he said.
In addition, he also urged Budiyanto to immediately arrest the perpetrators of the Latuan persecution.
After giving speeches for approximately 45 minutes, the Head of Public Relations of the NTT Police, Kombes Rishian Krisna B, asked five representatives to meet with him to convey their demands. After meeting for about 10 minutes, the demonstrators then dispersed peacefully.
Previously, Latuan explained that he was attacked by about six unknown people after attending a press conference at PT Flobamor. The press conference was related to BPK's findings on PT Flobamor's dividend of Rp. 1.6 billion which was colored by a debate between the head of the BUMD belonging to the NTT Provincial Government and a number of media crews.
He and one of his colleagues left the place of activity by riding a motorbike for about 30 meters, when he was suddenly attacked by a number of people who made him fall along with the vehicle he was riding.
"Before hitting someone shouted my name, possibly to be a sign for the perpetrators to gang up and abuse me at the scene," he said.
Latuan, who suffered injuries to his face and chest, has reported the incident to the Kupang City Police.
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