In the midst of the National Press Day (HPN) celebration which was closed by President Joko Widodo in Ancol, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (20/2/2024), a shocking news came from Labuhanbatu, North Sumatra.

A journalist named Samuel Tampubolon, who is also a contributor to TribrataTV and klikindonesia.co, allegedly suffered persecution by the Labuhanbatu Police Chief, AKBP Bernhard L. Malau.

According to Samuel, who is also the Treasurer of DPD Pro Jurnalismedia Siber (PJS) North Sumatera, the persecution occurred in front of Nuansa Hotel on Jalan Sisingamangaraja Rantauprapat, Wednesday (21/2/2024) night at around 20.00 WIB.

"Previously, I had an appointment to meet with the Chief of Police through the Head of Narcotics AKP Roberto P Sianturi. But for some reason, I was beaten like this," said Samuel when talking via telephone with the Chairman of the DPP PJS Mahmud Marhaba.

For this incident, various criticisms and demands came from journalist organizations, including PJS.

The Chairman of DPD PJS North Sumatera, Sofyan Siahaan, strongly condemned the violence.

"Law enforcement officers who are supposed to protect and protect actually commit acts of violence, this cannot be tolerated. Moreover, it was done by a Police Chief along with some of his members," said Sofyan.

He asked the Chief of Police and the North Sumatra Police Chief to immediately take action against the Labuhanbatu Police Chief and several other personnel who participated in the beating, including the Chief of Drugs.

"This action is very tarnishing the good name of the police institution. At a time when the Kapolri is aggressively building a good image of the police, it is actually damaged by its ranks," he said again.

"We urge the Kapolri to remove AKBP Bernhard Malau from his position because he does not reflect a good law enforcement officer, protect and protect the community," said Sofyan.

The Chairman of the DPP PJS, Mahmud Marhaba, deeply regretted the actions of the Police Chief's class officers who committed this brutal act.

"Everywhere, if there is something that makes someone offended, it should be done through the legal process, not taking the law into your own hands," said Mahmud, who is also a Press Council Expert.

He also added, if it is related to journalistic work, it must be resolved at the Press Council.

"If you have a dispute with journalistic work, exercise the right of reply or the right of correction. "Everything comes down to the Press Council, it's not done with an iron fist, especially at the level of the Police Chief," said Mahmud.

Mahmud also supports the demands of the Chairman of the North Sumatra PJS DPD, Sofyan Siahaan, who asked the North Sumatra Police Chief and North Sumatra Regional Police Chief to act professionally against every leader or member of the National Police who makes fatal mistakes that tarnish the name of the institution and must be dealt with firmly.

Until now, Samuel Tampubolon has been referred to a hospital in Medan due to a heavy blow to his head.

"We from PJS are accompanying Samuel together with his attorney to report the alleged act of abuse to the North Sumatra Police Propam," said Sofyan to the Chairman of the PJS DPP.

The Labuhanbatu Police Chief, AKBP Bernhard L. Malau, who was asked for his response by the Pemredklikindonesia.co via WhatsApp chat on number 08137512XXXX, stated that he did not carry out the beating.

"That's not true, bro. No one hit him, if I was angry, yes," said the Police Chief on the sidelines of attending a gathering for the Acting Governor of North Sumatra, Wednesday (21/02/2024).