JAKARTA: Several press unions have demanded President Prabowo Subianto apologise after calling journalists londo ireng (black Dutchmen) during a speech, condemning the statement as denigrating journalists.
The press unions, consisting of the Alliance of Independent Journalists, Journalists Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (AJMAN), Alternative Media Coalition (KOMA), Society of Indonesian Environmental Journalists (SIEJ), Indonesian Photojournalist Association (PFI) and Archipelago Media Development Society (PPMN), condemned Prabowo’s statement for slandering the journalistic profession.
AJI chairwoman Nany Afrida said the labelling of journalists as londo ireng, or the black Dutchman, was condescending, belittling and delegitimizing to the profession of journalism and the work they produce.
The term also carries a connotation of collaborating with foreign interests instead of defending one’s own country.
Nany said Prabowo’s statement was against the spirit and mandate of Law No. 40/1999 on Press because in Indonesia’s historical context, londo ireng is a pejorative term for Indonesians who worked for the Dutch colonial government.
“Accusations against the journalistic profession are baseless and not appropriate to be said by a president, we demand President Prabowo Subianto apologise to journalists for the use of londo ireng in his speech,” she said in a written statement received by The Jakarta Post on Saturday (July 25).
Speaking at the 28th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB) on Thursday evening, Prabowo said his administration welcomed criticism but alleged that some Indonesians remain loyal to foreign powers.
“In the past we called them londo ireng, those who fought alongside the Dutch against us. Those londo ireng still exist today,” he said, adding that they could now be found among "journalists, reporters, analysts and NGOs."
The term londo ireng, which means “black Dutchman” in Javanese, was initially used to refer to black West African mercenaries hired to be part of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Military (KNIL) following the devastating results of the 1825-1830 Diponegoro War.
The term's usage then shifted to refer to indigenous Indonesians accused of collaborating with Dutch colonial forces during the country's struggle for independence.
Prabowo’s maternal great-grandfather, Capt Benjamin Thomas Sigar, was a KNIL officer who assisted in arresting Prince Diponegoro when the prince was set up by Dutch East Indies lieutenant governor-general, Lt. Gen Hendrik Merkus de Kock.
From his father’s side, Prabowo lost two uncles, First Lt. Subianto Djojohadikusumo and cadet Sujono Djojohadikusumo, in a skirmish against the Japanese military in the Lengkong incident in Tangerang, Banten, on Jan 25, 1946.
Nany said it was not the first time Prabowo showed “enmity” toward journalists, including when he ordered journalists to leave the room during his speech.
“This shows that Indonesia is not a democracy guardian but a country that is repressive against media,” she said.
“The state has the responsibility to create an environment allowing the press to work freely, safely, professionally and responsibly. Not to be hostile against reporters because journalists work to deliver facts to the public, not for any foreign interests.”
She also reiterated that journalists and the media work under the auspice of the law, bound by a Journalists’ Code of Ethics.
“Journalists write critically on government policies to push for governance improvement. Instead of improving governance, the government prefer to attack journalists instead,” she said.
“Criticism is normal in a democratic country, that is the journalists’ role as guardian of democracy, which must be protected and not assaulted.”
Nany also said the press unions demanded Prabowo and his entire government stop stigmatisation and criminalisation of the works of journalists, media, observers and civil society organisations.
“The government must also guarantee journalists’ safety and ensure there is no intimidation, violence or criminalization against journalists and media for their critical reporting,” she said.
“We demand the President and his government show democratic leadership and respect press freedom. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
