Bernama News Agency Expresses Solidarity for Missing Indonesian Journalists

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) - Malaysia’s National News Agency (Bernama) has expressed its solidarity with five Indonesian journalists who remain missing while covering activity at Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, Indonesia.

Bernama President, Datin Paduka Nurul Afida Kamaludin, stated that Bernama is deeply concerned about the incident involving the journalists who lost contact while travelling via speedboat to report on the volcanic activity.

“In these difficult times, Bernama, along with our media partners in Indonesia and Anadolu Agency, also hopes that the missing journalists and other passengers can be found safely and reunited with their families and colleagues,” said Nurul, as reported by Bernama in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

“As a media partner, Bernama is also concerned for our colleagues, their families, and news organisations, and hopes that all those missing can be found safely,” she added.

The five journalists include Muhammad Bagus Khoirunnas from ANTARA News Agency, Firdaus Wajidi from Anadolu Agency (Turkey), Arie Basuki from the news portal Merdeka.com, Yudistira Pranoto from iNews, and freelance journalist Donal Husni. They went missing along with a boat captain, a crew member, and a tour guide.

The eight victims have been out of contact since Monday (7/9) while covering the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait.

Nurul Afida noted that journalists perform their duties for the public interest and often work in challenging and dangerous conditions to deliver important developments to the community.

Nurul stated that Bernama also offers its support for the search and rescue efforts being conducted by Indonesian authorities and hopes that the operation can be carried out swiftly and safely.

“We also sympathise with the journalists, their families, and their colleagues, as well as all parties involved in the search and rescue operation,” she said.

It was previously reported that the news of the missing Indonesian journalists and crew members in the Sunda Strait has been covered by several mainstream Malaysian media outlets.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered a search and rescue operation to find the eight missing persons, involving 11 vessels, including three warships, deployed in the effort to locate those who have lost contact.