Indonesia: Journalist’s car vandalised by unknown assailants

The car of Tempo Media Group investigative journalist Hussein Abri Dongoron was vandalised in a targeted attack in Jakarta on August 5, with authorities unable to confirm the assailants' motives. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia and SINDIKASI, condemn the attack and urge authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident and hold those responsible to account.

Tempo journalist, Hussein Abri Dongoron, car was vandalised in a targeted attack in Jakarta on August 5. Credit: Linkedin

On August 5, Tempo journalist Hussein Abri Dongoran was travelling home from a meeting with a source at Senayan City Mall, South Jakarta when his car was vandalised by two unknown assailants travelling on a motorcycle.

Hussein, known for covering politically sensitive issues, including corruption and governmental misconduct, parked his car after hearing suspicious noises while driving and discovered the rear window of his vehicle had been shattered. The following day, Hussein and attorneys representing the news outlet reported the incident to the South Jakarta Police. Despite the absence of CCTV cameras monitoring the location as confirmed by security officers at a nearby Ministry of Public Works and Housing building, police determined that the act of vandalism did not appear to be a robbery attempt.

Tempo editor-in-chief, Setri Yasra, stated that the outlet could not confirm the attack's motive, and were waiting on the South Jakarta Police to arrest those responsible for the attack. Yasra further stated "the police investigation should shed light on this incident. We hope to determine if this is a criminal act or an act of journalist intimidation".

In a joint statement, AJI Indonesia's Jakarta Chapter and the Legal Aid Institute for Press (LBH Pers) called on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and conclude other pending cases involving violence against journalists. The organisations added that if the crime was linked to Hussein's work as a journalist the assailants should face charges under sections of the Press Law relating to the protection of journalists in their professional activities.

Guruh Riyanto, the Coordinator of SINDIKASI's Advocacy Department said: "SINDIKASI condemns the recent attack on Tempo journalists. We demand the police to investigate thoroughly to find the perpetrator and bring them to the trial. The incident happened near the national police headquarters and ministerial buildings. This means that evidence should be available from CCTVs around the area. The Indonesian police should put serious effort into finding pieces of evidence. The case is important to solve because it happened in the spotlight of the capital city, which has a heavy presence of law enforcement. The Jakarta Metro Police must set an example to protect journalists and press freedom."

AJI Indonesia said: "The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Jakarta and the Press Legal Aid Institute urged the police to investigate the alleged terror of vandalism of the car belonging to Tempo journalist Husein Abri Dongoran."

The IFJ said: "This deliberate act of vandalism against a Tempo journalist is an alarming escalation of threats against Indonesia's media. Such acts are designed to silence critical voices and undermine the role of the press. It is crucial that the authorities conduct a prompt and thorough investigation, hold those responsible to account, and determine the motive behind this attack."