Security guard punches journalist

Security guard punches journalist

JAKARTA: A member of the Presidential Security Detail
(Paspampres) allegedly punched a journalist from the Jawa Pos
daily while he was covering the United Development Party (PPP)'s
two-day national working meeting at the Millennium Hotel in
Central Jakarta on Saturday.

The alleged incident occurred when the officer banned Alex
Ajisurya from attending the main room, where Vice President
Hamzah Haz was to deliver his speech during the opening ceremony,
because the reporter was wearing sandals.

Alex said he immediately showed his identity card as well as
the invitation sent by the party to his office, and argued that
other participants were also wearing sandals. But the angry
officer ignored his argument and allegedly punched Alex, causing
slight injuries to his lower jaw.

The journalist boycotted the event and has threatened to
report the case to the officer's superior.--JP