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