Jakarta – A lawmaker is criticizing a hotel owner's recent attack on a journalist for apparently generating bad publicity, saying that violence has become a viable option in resolving problems in this country.

"I strongly suggest that we add a clause that includes journalists among those who should earn protection, beside human rights activists, in the Human Rights Workers Protection draft bill," Eva Kusuma Sundari of the House's legal commission told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

"I call on the police to carry out a firm and thorough investigation to find the masterminds. At the same time we will push the House to deliberate the [Human Rights Workers Protection draft] bill in the upcoming seating session. However, until then, we will likely see this type of violence happen again," she said.

A hotel owner in Bogor, West Java, has reportedly abducted a Radar Bogor journalist for "bad" publicity that was said to have caused a decrease in customers. The Bogor Police is currently handling the case.

Recently, a Tempo TV journalist was found unconscious while filming a plot of land that has been the subject of dispute between the air force and local residents.