PDAM official fights with journalist

TANGERANG: A surprising fight between a journalist and the spokesman of the Tangerang municipal tap water company (PDAM Kota) occurred at PDAM Kota office on Jl. Pintu 10, Tangerang on Tuesday.

The spokesman Indra Wawan said that he was beaten by Zaenuddin Pinem, a journalist who works for a weekly tabloid and who is also chairman of the Tangerang branch of the Indonesian Journalists Committee (KWRI).

Luckily, the fight was broken up by the company security personnel.

According to Wawan, Pinem had repeatedly come to the office and met directly with the company director for confirmation about a graft case involving several officials without informing him. Wawan reprimanded the journalist and they quarreled.

"We have a procedure here that a journalist has to meet with the company spokesman before meeting any of the firm's management," he said.

Pinem who apparently could not accept the reprimand punched Wawan in the face and Wawan retaliated, ignoring the presence of the Tangerang Municipal Council Commission G chairman H. Enay. --JP