Murder of reporter condemned

Murder of reporter condemned

PALU, Central Sulawesi (JP): Four journalists organizations:
Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Indonesian Journalists
Association of Reform (PWI Reformasi), Committee of Indonesian
Journalists of Reform (KWRI) and Indonesian Journalists
Association (PWI) condemned on Friday the killing of a reporter
of the Poso Post, I Wayan Sumiarsa.

"We are worried that more reporters will become victims of
brutality," Maxi Meliano Wolor, chairman of Central Sulawesi AJI
chapter, told a media briefing after meeting with the province
police chief.

During the meeting with Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig.
Gen. Zainal Abidin Ishak, Maxi said that the Indonesian press
were shocked.

"We deplore such brutality against the press in the reform
era. And this took place in Poso, a town which had just been torn
apart by sectarian clashes with hundreds of people killed without
purpose," Maxi said.

"We urge police to investigate this case thoroughly and find
the murderers."

Sumiarsa, 25, was reported missing on May 28 and found dead in
the Poso River on June 3. His body, wrapped in a plastic bag, had
multiple stab wounds.

Sumiarsa's wife, Diana, had reported to the police twice since
her husband did not return home on May 28.

Ging Ginanjar, coordinator for the advocacy division at AJI
head office in Jakarta, said in a written statement, that
journalists working in Poso must not be deterred by the killing.
"Professionally, journalists are protected by law," Ginanjar
said, referring to the Article 8 of Law No. 40/1999 on the media.
(24/sur)