Parliamentary Journalists Hold Prayer Session for Missing Journalists

We remain optimistic and continue to hope that our five colleagues, including the three crew members, can be found safe and sound,” said KWP Chairman Ariawan.

The Parliamentary Journalists Coordination (KWP) held a joint prayer session at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Friday, for five journalists and three crew members who went missing in the waters of the Sunda Strait.

The five journalists were reported missing while performing coverage duties regarding the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait waters since Monday (7/9).

They are M. Bagus Khoirunnas from ANTARA Foto, Arie Basuki from Merdeka.com, Donal Husni, a freelance photographer, Yudistiro Pranoto from iNews, and Firdaus Wajidi from Anadolu Agency.

In addition to the five journalists, three individuals on the speedboat are also still being searched for: Warta, the ship’s captain; Surakman, a crew member; and Heriyanto, a guide.

Ariawan expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in the search for the eight individuals. He noted that search efforts are ongoing, although they have yet to yield results.

Ariawan also expressed hope that the families of the journalists and crew members still being searched for would be granted strength and patience.

“We urge the public, especially fishermen, that if you find or discover anything that could serve as a clue, please inform journalists everywhere,” he said.

The disappearance of the five journalists and three crew members has also drawn attention from various press organisations and communities across several regions. The prayer session was held as a form of moral support for the victims, their families, and the search teams.