Irian journalist harassed

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The local chapter of the Association of Indonesian Journalists condemned yesterday a bank official who allegedly harassed a journalist, covering last week's Rp 1.9 billion ($808,000) embezzlement trial, in the bank.

Yoseph Herbelubun an official of the Merauke chapter of Bank Pembangunan Daerah was one of several bank officials called as a witness by the district court over the scam.

Herbelubun reportedly warned Baharuddin about reporting the case, a reporter from Cendrawasih Pos newspaper said.

Deputy chief of the local chapter of the journalists association Soehendarto said the threat was deplorable, Antara reported.

He said the threat should not discourage Baharuddin from reporting the scandal. (pan)