Public Order officers sued

JAKARTA: The Independent Journalists Alliance (AJI) of Jakarta chapter launched legal action in the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday against Governor Sutiyoso, the East Jakarta Mayor and the East Jakarta public order office after public order officers allegedly intimidated a journalist on March 27.

The organization demanded the accused apologize to Eddy Hariyadi, a reporter of the Warta Kota daily newspaper, in five newspapers and on two private television stations over the incident.

During the incident, the public order officers allegedly intimidated Eddy, threatening him during his coverage of an eviction operation in Cakung area, East Jakarta.

The alliance also demanded the accused pay Rp 100 million (US$11,560) in compensation to an independent organization.

The money would be used to buy shirts reading "Don't Hit Journalists", which would be given to all public order officers in the city.

AJI had earlier contacted the accused to get an apology for Eddy. However, there was no response from the administration. -- JP