Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesia's Press Council stated that the terror act involving a severed pig's head sent to Tempo was likely carried out by parties feeling cornered and unwilling to take responsibility.
Press Council Chairperson Ninik Rahayu emphasized that those who disagree with Tempo's reporting should use their right of reply rather than resorting to intimidation.
"They have the right of reply – use it wisely," Ninik told Tempo on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
She condemned the act as a criminal offense and urged Tempo to report it to authorities.
"The Press Council calls on security officials to thoroughly investigate so that such incidents do not happen again," she said.
The package was addressed to "Cica," the nickname of Francisca Christy Rosana, a political desk journalist at Tempo and host of the Bocor Alus Politik podcast.
She had just returned from covering a story with Hussein Abri Yusuf Muda Dongoran, a fellow political desk journalist and co-host of Bocor Alus Politik. After being informed about the package, she brought the cardboard box into the office.
It was Hussein who opened it. "The stench was already noticeable when we unsealed the box," he said. Suspecting it was an act of intimidation, he immediately grew wary as there was no sender's name on the package.
When the styrofoam lining was removed, Hussein saw the contents – a pig's head. "The smell became even stronger, and there was still blood on it," he said.
Hussein and several other journalists took the box outside the building. Once fully opened, the pig's head was clearly visible. "Both ears had been cut off," Hussein added.
Tempo Editor-in-Chief Setri Yasra suspected this was an act of terror aimed at the newsroom's journalistic work. "We believe this is an attempt to intimidate and obstruct journalism," he said.
He stressed that journalists should not be subjected to such threats, as their work is protected under Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press, which guarantees press freedom and journalist protection in Indonesia.
"Press freedom must not be terrorized, disrupted, or intimidated for any reason, as every media outlet operates under the regulations set by law," Setri stated.
– M. Raihan Muzzaki contributed to the writing of this article.