Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – Journalist Dance Henukh, whose house was destroyed by a group of people allegedly as backlash for his news report on graft cases, says that he was intimidated by police officers after the attack.

Dance and his family were attacked in their house on Sunday and then again on Tuesday. His 1-month-old baby was killed in the attacks, and his house completely destroyed.

Dance said several police members had come to his house on Wednesday night and asked him not to go to the media with information that would incriminate the police.

"The police gave Rp 500,000 [US$55] to my wife but the money was returned," he said. "I was also interrogated by intelligencer [agents]. I feel threatened and worried about my family's safety," he said.

Meanwhile, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Frans Leburaya urged the police to investigate the case. Leburaya said that he hoped the police would carry out their duties professionally, and arrest the perpetrators and the mastermind behind the attack.

"I have not received reports officially. But if it is true that a journalist's house was burned down, the police must investigate it thoroughly," he said in Kupang on Thursday.

NTT Journalist Forum coordinator Albert Vincen said in a press statement that the attack on the journalist constituted press criminalization.

"The incident hurts the spirit of reform and democracy. Whoever the perpetrators are, they must be punished harshly," he said. Albert, who is a correspondent for Jakarta-based El Shinta radio station, warned the police not to ignore the case.

"Now is the time for the police to prove that reform has taken place in their institution," he said. Rote-Ndao Police had not named any suspects as of Thursday.

According to reports, Dance's house was attacked twice. The first attack, on Sunday, left Dance's 1-month-old baby dead, although it was not clear what the cause of death was. In the second attack, on Tuesday, Dance's house was burned to the ground. A nearby kiosk was also damaged.

Rote-Ndao Police chief First Insp. Faisal Fatsay said his officers had questioned three witnesses. "One of them was Dance's wife," he said.

He said he had not named a suspect because the police had only just found out about the case. "We came to the location three times and suggested that Dance file the case officially with the police," he said.

Councilor Sarah Lery Mboeik also called for a thorough investigation into the case. "Whoever is behind the attack must be brought to justice. Journalists are protected by law," she said. "I have contacted the police chief to encourage a swift investigation of the case," Benny K. Harman, a member of the House of Representatives, said.