TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Independent Journalist Alliance (AJI) of Semarang has strongly condemned the police's violent actions against Tempo journalist Jamal Abdun Nasr while he was covering the May Day demonstration in Semarang, Central Java, on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
AJI considers this act a violation of the Press Law.
"Journalistic duties are protected by law. Police officers who commit violence against journalists are breaking the law. We condemn this repressive action and urge that the perpetrators be thoroughly investigated," said the Chairman of AJI Semarang, Aris Mulyawan, in a written statement.
Jamal, while performing his journalistic duties, faced violence on two separate occasions. The first occurred at approximately 05:30 PM local time in front of the Central Java Governor's office, where officers choked him and nearly slammed him to the ground.
The second incident happened around 08:36 PM local time in front of Diponegoro University, Pleburan, when plainclothes police accused Jamal of recording and responded violently.
Jamal confirmed he was struck three times by the police. "Yes, I was hit three times, including being slapped," he stated.
In addition to Jamal, DS, the editor-in-chief of the student press, was also assaulted by plainclothes officers, resulting in a facial laceration that required stitches.
Despite identifying himself as a journalist, DS was attacked. Four other members of the student press were also subjected to intimidation.
AJI stresses that these actions are punishable under Article 18, Paragraph (1) of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, which provides for a two-year prison sentence or a fine of up to Rp500 million for anyone obstructing journalistic work.
"Violence against journalists is not a normal incident; it is a threat to public rights," said Aris.
M. Fajar Andika, legal counsel for the May Day action from the Semarang Legal Aid Institute (LBH), added that the police arrested 19 demonstration participants, 14 of whom were detained, while the remaining five were taken to the hospital.
Fajar further noted that the violence occurred before the arrests, specifically when the police fired tear gas at the crowd.
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