Four Journalists Experience Violence While Covering Protests in Aceh, Police Respond
Several journalists reportedly experienced intimidation and violence by police officers while covering a demonstration against Aceh Governor Regulation No. 2 of 2026 concerning Aceh Health Guarantee (JKA) at the Aceh Governor’s Office on Wednesday (May 13).
Amidst the chaotic situation between protesters and authorities, four journalists were reportedly subjected to intimidation, forced deletion of reporting documentation, and confiscation of work equipment.
One of the victims was Dani Randi, a contributor for CNN Indonesia. Dani experienced intimidation while trying to escape from the center of the chaos in the governor’s office area.
As officers pushed back the crowd, Dani ran to the Rubanah area of the Balee Meuseuraya Aceh (BMA) building, located across from the Aceh Governor’s Office.
At this temporary shelter, Dani tried to write a report on the progress of the action using a tablet because his mobile phone battery was dead.
However, a few minutes later, several plainclothes officers entered the Rubanah area to search for people taking refuge.
Dani stated that he immediately showed his press card and explained that he was working as a journalist. However, he said that this explanation was ignored.
“According to Dani, the officers then tried to confiscate his tablet and mobile phone. In a condition where his eyes were stinging from tear gas, Dani admitted that he had difficulty recognizing the faces of the officers surrounding him,” said Coordinator of the Committee for Journalist Safety (KKJ) Aceh, Rino Abonita in a statement on Thursday (May 14).
His work equipment was eventually returned after one of the officers recognized Dani as a journalist. However, Dani stated that he was still forced to delete photos and videos from his reporting, but he refused. As a result, he was told by the officers to leave the BMA building.
In addition to Dani, three other journalists, namely Hulwa Dzakira from Waspada.id, Helena from RMOL Aceh, and Nora from AJNN.net, were also forced by female police officers to delete recordings of officers forcibly pushing back protesters.
For this reason, KKJ Aceh condemns any act that leads to journalistic violence, such as intimidation, forcing the deletion of journalistic products, and confiscating work equipment, or other actions that violate the spirit, values, and principles of press freedom.
“The police should immediately initiate a series of legal processes, including identifying all security officers involved in acts of violence against journalists while covering the JKA regulation rejection action, given that this incident is a general offense clearly regulated in Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press,” said Rino.
Police Investigate Violence Against Journalists
The Chief of Police for Banda Aceh, Kombes Andi Kirana, followed up on reports of violence against journalists that occurred during the demonstration at the Aceh Governor’s Office.
Andi said he had met and listened to the journalists who were victims of intimidation.
“We are committed to following up on this incident. We have listened to all three journalists about what they experienced during the demonstration rejecting Regulation No. 2 of 2026 concerning JKA at the Aceh Governor’s Office,” said Andi after a meeting with KKJ Aceh on Friday (May 15).
Andi apologized for what the journalists had experienced. According to him, the situation was out of control when the action began to turn chaotic.
“Regarding the alleged actions by female police officers, although in this case the reporters did not clearly explain their identities, and I promise to follow up on it, as well as re-evaluate,” he said.
Andi claimed that he had also issued instructions and directions to all personnel not to carry out any intimidation against news reporters such as journalists or public relations officers of agencies or institutions when taking pictures during demonstrations.
“We have published guidelines so that all personnel of the Banda Aceh Police understand the performance of media colleagues,” he said.
Riotous Action on Wednesday, May 13
The demonstration held by the Aceh People’s Alliance (ARA) in front of the Aceh Governor’s Office on Wednesday (May 13) turned chaotic after protesters tried to break through to demand the revocation of Aceh Governor Regulation No. 2 of 2026 concerning Aceh Health Guarantee (JKA).
The protesters argued that the regulation contradicted the JKA Law and harmed the public because it was considered to limit access to free health services that had been in place for all residents of Aceh.
The chaos broke out when demonstrators tried to break through the barricades of police officers and Satpol PP who were guarding the entrance to the governor’s office. A pushing match ensued, followed by water bottles being thrown at officers.
Police then deployed water cannons to push back protesters from the main gate. However, the demonstrators remained in the area in front of the governor’s office and continued their oration rejecting the policy.
The situation heated up again after 6:00 p.m. when the protesters refused to disperse. Police officers then fired tear gas to forcibly disperse the action.
Until around 7:40 p.m., the protesters remained outside the governor’s office gate while resisting by throwing stones at officers. Several demonstrators were seen being secured and taken into the lobby of the governor’s office.
Ambulances were seen coming and going to evacuate participants who fainted due to exposure to tear gas.
The chaos broke out again around 8:10 p.m. when officers carried out a follow-up dispersal and sweep in the surrounding area. In this process, more protesters were secured.
The coordinator of the action, Aulia Habibi, stated that the demonstration was carried out as a form of rejection of policies considered to eliminate the principle of comprehensive health protection for the people of Aceh.
“The public has opposed it. We ask that the problematic regulation be revoked,” said Aulia.
He said the protesters’ anger was triggered by the absence of the Governor or Vice Governor of Aceh who did not meet directly with the demonstrators to explain the reasons for issuing the regulation.
According to Aulia, the implementation of the decile system in the new policy actually makes it more difficult for people to access health services.