Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Another incident of violence against journalists has occurred. This time, the violence was committed by a member of the security team of the Chief of the Indonesian National Police.
The incident occurred when Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo was inspecting the reverse flow at Tawang Station Semarang on Saturday, April 5, 2025. At that time, Listyo's aide, First Police Brigadier E, hit and threatened journalists who were covering the event.
First Police Brigadier E hit the head of a photojournalist from the National News Agency (LKBN) Antara, Makna Zaezar. He mentioned that First Police Brigadier E struck the back of his head. "At that time, when I was about to turn around, he slapped my head. So, he slapped the back of my head," said Makna when contacted from Jakarta on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
In addition to physical violence, the police aide was also known to have verbally abused journalists at the scene. Intimidation was directed at the reporters who were covering the event at the time.
According to Makna's account, the threats from First Police Brigadier E came shortly before his head was struck. "Just before I moved across, this aide was grumbling that if any of the journalists were sticking around, he would smack each one of us," said Makna.
Based on a copy of the video received by Tempo, First Police Brigadier E at the time of the incident was seen wearing a light blue shirt. He wore a wristwatch on his left arm.
After the incident, First Police Brigadier E finally apologized directly to Makna on Sunday evening, April 6, 2025. The apology was conveyed after a meeting held at the Perum LKBN ANTARA Central Java Bureau office in Semarang.
The police expressed regret for the assault and threats. He hoped that in the future, they would be more humane, professional, and mature in carrying out their duties. "I regret and apologize to my media colleagues for the incident at Tawang Station," said First Police Brigadier E as quoted from Antara.
Makna Zaesar has accepted the apology. Nevertheless, he hopes that there will still be institutional follow-up by the police regarding the incident of violence against journalists.
Present at the meeting were the Chief of Public Relations of the Central Java Regional Police, Police Grand Commissioner Artanto who represented the Police, ANTARA's News Director Irfan Junaidi, as well as ANTARA photo reporter Makna Zaesar, and First Police Brigadier E.