DPR Member Expresses Concern Over Missing Journalists, Cites Heavy Press Duties

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Junico Siahaan, has expressed profound concern over the disappearance of five journalists who were covering activities at Mount Anak Krakatau, stating that the duties of the press are indeed very heavy.

As someone who worked for a significant period in the media and broadcasting environment, he explained that the broadcasts and information received by the public are the result of the labour of many people.

“Behind every image that reaches the public, there is a crew working, facing risks, and having families waiting for them to return home,” Junico said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

He hopes that the search operation can proceed smoothly and that all members of the journalists’ group can be found safely. He also requested that the authorities continue to provide the latest information regarding the search process.

To this end, Junico encouraged the joint SAR (Search and Rescue) team and the government to continue optimising the search by integrating all available information, ranging from the last known position, communication traces, current and weather conditions, to statements from families, colleagues, boat operators, and the community around the Sunda Strait waters.

“Every clue regarding their possible location, including requests for searches around Sertung Island, needs to be verified and followed up by the SAR team in accordance with the operational assessment,” he said.

Furthermore, he also requested the government to appoint an official liaison to assist the families. He reminded that developments in the search, areas that have been inspected, operational constraints, and future plans must be communicated to the families regularly using clear and empathetic language.

In a situation such as this, Junico noted that the victims’ families need more than just information updates. They, he said, need assurance that every clue is being examined, every possibility is being pursued, and the state continues to work earnestly.

“The media companies where the journalists work also need to be involved so that responsibility towards the workers and their families can be fully fulfilled,” he added.

Previously, the Banten Search and Rescue (SAR) Office optimised the SAR operation by deploying a Dauphin AS365 N3+ helicopter, registration number HR-3604, to support the search for five journalists who lost contact in the Sunda Strait waters, Pandeglang Regency, Banten, while covering Mount Anak Krakatau’s activity.

“Helicopter HR-3604 departed from Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base (ATS) at 12:36 WIB and was scheduled to arrive at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, at 12:52 WIB. The flight route includes JIExpo Kemayoran-Carita Beach-BPBD Banten-Helipad/JIExpo Kemayoran,” said the Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, in Pandeglang on Thursday.

He explained that the helicopter carried seven people, a move that is part of the effort to strengthen the search through aerial support, specifically for monitoring the SAR operational area around the Sunda Strait waters and Mount Anak Krakatau.

The five identified journalists are M. Bagus Khoirunnas from ANTARA, Ari Basuki from Merdeka, Yudhis from iNews, Daus from Anadolu, and Donal, who is a freelance journalist. In addition to these five journalists, there were also three crew members on the speedboat.