Journalist beaten over parking

Journalist beaten over parking

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The province's Ministry of Religious
Affairs office apologized on Wednesday over an attack on five
local journalists at a haj pilgrimage dormitory the day before.

Deputy head of the office Baharuddin Saenong told a group of
protesting journalists that one of his staff, identified as
Tasrif, had admitted his mistake and expressed regret over the
incident, which resulted in SCTV correspondent Andre Bangsawan
being punched on his jaw.

"We're very sorry for the incident and we promise to take firm
action against the attackers," Baharuddin said.

The incident took place when Andre mistakenly parked his car
in a lot reserved for officials. Andre was summoned several times
to remove his car but could not respond because he was
interviewing an official in charge of haj pilgrim affairs
Mustofa.

Andre did not obey the summons upon Mustofa's advice, but a
group of workers, led by Tasrif, attacked him and five fellow
journalists when they were about to get into the car. (27/edt)