Military Police officers attack reporter in Makassar

Military Police officers attack reporter in Makassar

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Around 70 journalists in
Makassar marched to the headquarters of the Wirabuana Military
Command on Monday to protest Sunday's attack on one of their
colleagues.

According to information gathered by The Jakarta Post, two
Military Police officers, identified as Capt. Marpaung and Lt.
Edward, assaulted Tahar, a reporter with the Harian Berita Kota.
The attack allegedly occurred after Tahar had taken photographs
of the pair quarreling with Panakukang Police chief Sr. Insp.
Mardjuki at the latter's office.

The heated quarrel between the Military Police officers and
Mardjuki reportedly began after the latter reprimanded David, the
owner of Kawanua Mas karaoke hall, for violating regulations on
operating hours.

According to its permit, the karaoke hall is allowed to
operate until 2 a.m., while Mardjuki found the establishment
still open at 3 a.m.

Marpaung and Edward, who were in the karaoke hall at the time
Mardjuki issued his warning, confronted the police officer. "I'll
accompany David to the police station," Tahar quoted Marpaung as
saying.

Tahar said he had been covering a murder in the area when he
spotted Mardjuki heading to the karaoke hall and followed the
officer.

A heated quarrel between Mardjuki and the two Military Police
officers broke out in Mardjuki's office before seven other
members of the Military Police arrived at the police station,
Tahar said. "I took their pictures when Marpaung and Edward were
calling in reinforcements. They became angry and began to beat
me.

"Mardjuki told them to stop, saying they were beating a
reporter. However, this did not calm them down. I cannot accept
the beating. They should have acted more civilized," Tahar said.

Members of the Alliance of Independent Journalist (AJI) and
the Makassar branch of the Joint Forum (Forbes) joined the
protest.

Munjin Ansharay, managing editor of Berita Kota, asked
Wirabuana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ahmad Yahya to investigate
the matter and take stiff measures against the officers if they
were found guilty.

The coordinator of AJI's labor union, Suparno, condemned the
"barbaric" act, saying the officers had violated Article 40 of
the journalism law by preventing a journalist from carrying out
his job.

"They could face a two-year jail term and a Rp 500 million
fine," Suparno said.

The chairman of Forbers, Zaenal Dalle, said if the officers
were upset about having their pictures taken they should have
filed a complaint or taken some other legal measure.

Ahmad Yahya met with the protesters and said Marpaung and
Edward were being detained.

The secretary-general of the South Sulawesi chapter of AJI,
Jupriadi, pledged "to keep fighting".

"We'll see if the two are being detained. We will take action
if Yahya's statement was only lip service." (27/sur)