Indonesia: Journalist murder allegedly linked to gambling and drug coverage

Tribata TV journalist Sempurna Pasaribu and three members of his family were tragically killed on June 27 in a fire at their home in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, allegedly in connection with his investigative reporting on drugs and gambling. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and SINDIKASI, strongly condemn this brutal murder and urge the authorities to conduct a swift and transparent investigation.

The house of journalist Sempurna Pasaribu in the aftermath of a reportedly deliberate fire which killed the journalist and three family members. Credit: Facebook

Sempurna Pasaribu had recently reported extensively on illegal gambling and drug activities that allegedly involved certain officials. One of his colleagues mentioned the victim had expressed worries about his safety. He said he would spend the night at the police station with his wife and children if his safety was threatened. Before the incident, he had avoided staying at home as a precautionary measure due to his sensitive reports. On the night of the tragedy, he had returned home briefly to provide his family with financial support.

AJI's fact-finding team found that the fire was deliberately set by individuals who were likely retaliating against the journalist for his investigative work. It was also reported that Sempurna Pasaribu had a confrontation with one of the officials suspected of supporting bookmakers and drug dealers, the night before the fire took place, which raised further suspicion about the motives behind the attack.

AJI Chairperson Nany Afrida said: "This incident is a severe violation of press freedom in Indonesia and sets a dangerous precedent. We urge the authorities to conduct a completely transparent investigation, and those responsible, including the masterminds behind this murder, must be brought to justice. There should be no concealment in the investigative process."

SINDIKASI Chairman Ikhsan Raharjo said:"We denounce the attack on Sempurna and his family. This brutal act is not just a crime against an individual but an assault on freedom of the press, as protected by our nation's constitution. We demand the authorities conduct a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for this tragedy. We express our deepest sympathy to the family and colleagues of the journalist who died."

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said:"We condemn this attack and underscores the global importance of safeguarding journalistic integrity and freedom. We stand in solidarity with Indonesian journalists in urging the authorities to take immediate and decisive action to ensure justice for Sempurna Pasaribu and his family, and to strengthen the protection of press freedom in Indonesia."