Legislator outraged at journalists’ arrests in Medan


House of Representatives Commission I legislator Ramadhan Pohan lashed out at the administration of Adam Malik Hospital in Medan, North Sumatra, for having five journalists arrested for covering alleged malpractice charges against the hospital.

The five journalists were arrested while accompanying a woman who had gone to the hospital to seek a response to her complaints on Saturday.

"Why must such incidents happen so near the commemoration of National Press Day (on Feb. 9)," Ramadhan said on Tuesday.

Law No. 40/1999 carries a sentence of five years in prison for anyone who is found guilty of deterring a journalist from gathering information pertinent to public interests.