Second reporter from daily in Central Sulawesi attacked<\/p>\n
Irvan NR, Palu<\/p>\n
A reporter from Nuansa Pos daily in Palu, Central Sulawesi, was
\ninjured in an alleged attack by the driver of Donggala Regency
\nLegislative Council Speaker Ridwan Yalidjama.<\/p>\n
The victim, Natsir Said, is receiving medical treatment and is
\nreportedly vomiting blood as a result of the attack on Saturday.<\/p>\n
On May 9, another journalist, Nasir Sarro, from the same
\nnewspaper was injured after about 40 people stormed the
\nnewspaper's office on Jl. Pulau Halmahera in Palu.<\/p>\n
Discussing the latest incident, Natsir said on Monday he was
\nbeaten by the council speaker's driver, who he identified as
\nJager, while covering a plenary meeting at the council building.<\/p>\n
Jager, along with five other suspects, allegedly assailed the
\nvictim as he was heading for a bathroom in the building.<\/p>\n
Natsir said he attempted to flee but Jager's accomplices
\ncaught him and tied up his hands, while the driver allegedly
\npunched him in the face and stomach.<\/p>\n
\"Everything went black and I fell down,\" he told journalists
\nat his office.<\/p>\n
After being released by his attackers, Natsir fled on his
\nmotorcycle back to the newspaper's office, where he began
\nvomiting blood.<\/p>\n
Nuansa Pos chief editor Andi Attas Abdullah said on Monday the
\nattack was believed to be related to articles Natsir recently
\nwrote about the Donggala council.<\/p>\n
The articles included one about a room in the council building
\nthat is often used to host a traditional dance called the Dero.
\nThe dance is performed by forming a circle while holding hands.<\/p>\n
The newspaper also published a news report about who would
\ntake over the leadership of the council after the April 5
\nlegislative election. The Nuansa Pos article suggested a military
\nfigure was likely to replace Ridwan Yalidjama as speaker.<\/p>\n
\"The article was based on reliable sources from the Donggala
\ncouncil,\" Abdullah said.<\/p>\n
He denounced the attack on Natsir at the council building and
\ndemanded the Central Sulawesi Police investigate the incident and
\narrest all those involved.<\/p>\n
\"It cannot be ignored. A matter of a difference in opinion
\nshould not be settled with muscle rather than the brain. This
\ncould destroy the young democracy in Central Sulawesi,\" the chief
\neditor said.<\/p>\n
Yalidjama denied any knowledge of the attack and said the
\nincident was a criminal act that had \"nothing to do with me\".<\/p>\n
He said that anyone involved in the attack should face the
\nlaw, included his driver if he was indeed involved.<\/p>\n
However, the council speaker accused the Nuansa Pos of
\npublishing articles that did not meet journalistic standards.<\/p>\n
He said at least two articles run by the newspaper recently
\nunfairly portrayed the council in a negative light.<\/p>\n
\"Many of the Nuansa Pos' articles are not balanced,\" Yalidjama
\nsaid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/second-reporter-from-daily-in-central-sulawesi-attacked-1447893297",
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