Attack on E. Timor newsman condemned
JAKARTA (JP): Last week's assault on a journalist and the office of the only East Timor newspaper by members of a youth organization has triggered strong reactions from officials and the local bishop.
The attack was carried out by eight youths from Pemuda Pancasila on Dec. 7. They charged that Suara Timor Timur (STT) ran a story that damaged the reputation of Ahmad Alkatiri, the chairman of the organization's local chapter.
Minister of Information Harmoko, East Timor governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares and Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo deplored the incident and called for legal actions against the vandals.
In the Monday's hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR), Harmoko urged the authorities to take prompt, tough action against those who took law into their own hands.
"I deeply regret the incident and hope for quick actions against the attackers," he said.
The incident happened when Alkatiri's messengers vandalized STT's newsroom, smashing telephones, TV sets, radios, tape recorders and window panes.
They also kidnapped journalist Jacobus Herin for reporting on the attempted murder of Alkatiri by an unknown gang, apparently committed over a land dispute. Herin was reportedly beaten up at Alkatiri's house.
The disputed story was distorted by both Alkatiri, the police and witnesses' versions of the conflict.
STT deputy chief editor Yohanes Agus Ismunarno said in a Dec. 10 letter to the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) in Jakarta that the local authorities had done nothing to the vandals.
"They roam around as free men like they are beyond the reach of the long arm of the law," he said in the letter.
Up to yesterday, the authorities had done nothing to the alleged attackers, though several STT journalists had been questioned, an anonymous source from East Timor told The Jakarta Post.
In yesterday's issue, STT quoted local police chief Col. Andreas Sugianto as saying that the Alkatiri admitted ordering the attack.
Alkatiri, according to STT, has verbally apologized to the newspaper, saying that the action was carried out because he could not control his anger.
Chairman of the Pemuda Pancasila central executive Board in Jakarta, Yapto Suryosumarno, was not available for comment yesterday.
Governor Abilio condemned the recklessness and warned that such violent acts would lead to anarchy unless the authorities took the necessary legal actions against those involved.
"Every citizen has the right to sue any journalist they believe has smeared their good name; but not kidnap and beat them at their home," he said when meeting with STT journalists who briefed him on the incident.
Bishop Belo said the action only tarnished the image of the youth organization.
"It's ironic because the brutality was committed by individuals who claim to be believers in Pancasila (the state ideology) which encourages good conduct," he said.
STT journalists have considered a peaceful strike if the local authorities fail to give them assurance of safety.
Starting on Feb. 1, 1993, STT was the only local newspaper in the youngest province. Its circulation fluctuates between 3,500 and 5,000 copies. The media is partly owned by the Provincial government.(pan)