Journalists, NGOs demand action against councillor<\/p>\n
Oyos Saroso HN
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nBandarlampung<\/p>\n
Around 150 journalists and activists from various non-
\ngovernmental organizations here rallied on Monday to demand that
\nthe Lampung Provincial Legislative Council take action against a
\ncouncillor for his alleged thuggish behavior.<\/p>\n
The protesters also urged the legislature as an institution to
\napologize for the bad behavior of the councillor, Fauzi Makki,
\nand set up a disciplinary committee to quiz him over a series of
\noffenses he has allegedly committed.<\/p>\n
The rally coordinator, Iswadi Pratama, said the protesters had
\nlost their patience after Fauzi insulted the journalistic
\nprofession during a hearing between councillors and provincial
\nadministration officials in charge of budget affairs last
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
\"His offensive remarks in an official forum show that he wants
\nto curtail the freedom of the press. That's why not only Fauzi
\nbut also the legislative council has to apologize,\" Iswadi told a
\ngroup of councillors who received the protesters.<\/p>\n
Fauzi, who has been dismissed by the Crescent and Star Party
\nbut keeps his legislative seat as an independent, openly insulted
\njournalists during the hearing. His remarks followed press
\ncoverage of the councillors' demands for additional facilities,
\nincluding houses and cars, to be paid for by the provincial
\nadministration out of a supplementary budget.<\/p>\n
A journalist from the Lampung Post daily, Yunita Savitri,
\nclaimed that Fauzi tried to physically chase her after the
\nhearing. Fauzi also reportedly sent thugs to intimidate Center
\nfor Strategy and Policy Studies activists, whose director was one
\nof the sources quoted in the daily's report, which appeared in
\nits May 28 edition.<\/p>\n
Lampung's chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists
\n(AJI) has recorded four examples of abusive behavior by Fauzi
\nagainst journalists, including his threat to kill a Trans Sumatra
\ndaily reporter.<\/p>\n
Midway through the meeting with the journalists, Fauzi
\nappeared and openly apologized for his insulting remarks. But the
\nLampung Post's chief editor Bambang Eka Wijaya said the case had
\nnot ended with Fauzi's apology. He said he had filed a libel suit
\nagainst the councillor.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, AJI chairman Ridwan Saifuddin called for a
\nboycott of the council if it continued to protect members who
\nviolated the law.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/journalists-ngos-demand-action-against-councillor-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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