Police officers intimidate journalists during the forced return of mass action at the Great Mosque of West Sumatra

A number of police officers allegedly intimidated and assaulted journalists while covering the forced repatriation of mass demonstrations at the Great Mosque of West Sumatra. The action of the apparatus was criticized by three journalist organizations in W Sumatra.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Oknum Polisi Intimidasi Jurnalis Saat Pemulangan Paksa Massa Aksi di Masjid Raya Sumbar

DOKUMENTASI AJI PADANG

A police officer (on the right) grabbed the collar and threatened a journalist during coverage of the forced evacuation of protesters from Pasaman Barat at the courtyard of the West Sumatra Grand Mosque, in Padang City, West Sumatra, on Saturday (5/8/2023).

PADANG, KOMPAS - Several police officers dressed casually are suspected of intimidating and using violence against journalists while covering the forced return of protesters at the Grand Mosque of West Sumatra in Padang, West Sumatra. Three journalist organizations condemn the obstruction of journalistic work.

Chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Padang Aidil Ichlas, Sunday (6/8/2023), said that at least four journalists were victims of intimidation or violence by the apparatus. The four journalists are Nandito Putra (Tribunnews), Fachri Hamzah (Tempo), Dasril (Padang TV), and Zulia Yandani (Classy FM).

"We condemn such actions. In fact, a female journalist has also become a victim. Some of the journalists who tried to break up and release their colleague who was about to be lifted were also threatened and their shirt collars were grabbed," said Aidil.

Tribunnews journalist, Nandito Putra, in a press statement, explained that he was grabbed by plainclothes police officers while recording the return of protesters and doing a live broadcast for his media on Saturday afternoon. Prior to that, he was also prohibited from taking photos and his cellphone was about to be confiscated by the authorities.

Also read: Sixth Day of Demonstration, West Pasaman Residents Forced Home

DOKUMENTASI AJI PADANG

A police officer threatened a journalist during coverage of the forced repatriation of protesters from Pasaman Barat at the Grand Mosque of West Sumatra in Padang city, West Sumatra on Saturday (8/5/2023).

According to Nandito, around 3:30 pm, he was broadcasting live on Facebook Tibunpadang.com to record the situation of West Pasaman residents who were rejecting the national strategic project (PSN) in the courtyard of the West Sumatra Grand Mosque. After recording the condition of the residents for two minutes, he directed the camera towards the police who were pulling a woman.

“I followed the crowd to a distance of about 3 meters. However, when I was recording, suddenly some plainclothes people came and grabbed me. My cellphone was taken by force. Then the apparatus asked me what my purpose was and I explained that I was reporting," said Nandito.

Also read: West Sumatra Governor Denied, 1,000 West Pasaman Residents Continue Demonstration

Nandito was only released after two journalists protested against the police officer's actions. However, in that effort, the security forces also lifted Fachri Hamzah's shirt collar, a Tempo journalist, and made threats. The same officer also threatened Aidil Ichlas, Chairman of AJI Padang, who at that time was also trying to release Nandito.

The incident ended a few minutes later after several officers from the Padang City Resort Police intervened and apologized to Nandito, Fachri, and Aidil for the incident.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Protesters were waiting for a bus to take them back from the Great Mosque of West Sumatra in Padang City on Saturday (5/8/2023) afternoon. Authorities forcibly returned more than 1,000 residents of Nagari Air Bangis, Sungai Beremas District, West Pasaman, West Sumatra, who had been protesting since Monday (31/7/2023).

On another occasion, Dasril, a journalist from Padang TV, also experienced intimidation by police officers. At the time, Dasril was recording the arrest of a member of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Padang who was accompanying the protesters.

Suddenly, a police officer obstructed Dasril's camera from recording. "That's enough, don't record anymore," said the officer. However, Dasril continued to do his job.

Also read: W Sumatra Journalists Demonstrate and Police Report After Expulsion by Provincial Government Staff

Meanwhile, Zulia Yandani, a female journalist from Classy FM, also experienced violence during the chaotic mass repatriation incident. At that time, Zulia had just finished praying and heard the commotion on the first floor of Masjid Raya Sumbar.

Seeing the tense situation, Zulia then recorded the incident, but was approached by a number of police officers who then took her phone. "I have explained that I am a journalist, but they still pulled me and lifted both of my legs. They were going to take me to the car," she said.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Buses transported protesters from the West Sumatra Grand Mosque, Padang City, West Sumatra, to return to their respective homes in Jorong Pigogah Pibubur, Nagari Air Bangis, Sungai Beremas District, West Pasaman, West Sumatra, Saturday (5/8/2023) afternoon. The apparatus forcibly repatriated more than 1,000 Nagari Air Bangis residents who had been demonstrating since Monday (31/7/2023).

Due to the police's act of intimidation and violence towards journalists, three journalist organizations in West Sumatra, namely AJI Padang, Pewarta Foto Indonesia (PFI) Padang, and Ikatan Jurnalis Televisi Indonesia (IJTI) Sumbar, issued a joint statement through a press release.

These three journalist organizations are of the opinion that the actions taken by the police have violated press freedom. However, Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press has clearly regulated matters related to journalistic work.

I have explained that I am a journalist, but they still held me and lifted both of my legs.

Such intimidation action also violates Article 18 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 40 Year 1999. The article states, "Any person who unlawfully and intentionally performs actions resulting in obstructing or impeding the implementation of the provisions of Article 4 paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of 2 years or a maximum fine of IDR 500 million."

Therefore, AJI Padang, PFI Padang, and IJTI Sumbar condemn the acts of intimidation and violence by the police towards journalists on duty at the Grand Mosque of Sumbar. The three associations also urge the Chief of West Sumatra Regional Police to apologize for the incident of intimidation and violence.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

The Chief of the West Sumatra Regional Police Inspector General Suharyono listened to a complaint from Zulia Yandani, a journalist from Classy FM, regarding the intimidation she experienced while covering the mass return of protesters from Pasaman Barat at Masjid Raya Sumbar, Padang City, West Sumatra on Saturday (5/8/2023) afternoon.

The Chief of Police of West Sumatra is urged to process his members who intimidate and use violence against journalists in accordance with regulations. In addition, the Chief of Police of West Sumatra is requested to ensure that standard operating procedures for handling demonstrations always prioritize professionalism, persuasion, and respect for press freedom.

On the other hand, AJI Padang, PFI Padang, and IJTI Sumbar appreciate the actions taken by several police officers from Polresta Padang who prevented violence against several journalists and immediately apologized. Finally, the three journalistic organizations also urged journalists to continue to adhere to the journalistic code of ethics while working.

On Saturday afternoon, at the Masjid Raya Sumbar, one of the journalists who became a victim, Zulia Yandani, reported the issue to the Inspector General of Sumbar, Suharyono. Initially, Suharyono responded jokingly to the alleged behavior of his member who is suspected of being intel. "So the intel is still fond of you, Mom," he said.

However, after Zulia convinced that the police officer's actions were serious, Suharyono summoned the Director of Intelligence of the West Sumatra Provincial Police, Commissioner Sunarya, to apologize directly to Zulia for the incident.