Three journalists experienced intimidation while covering the unfurling of red cloth with the words "Indonesia is Not For Sale,... MERDEKA" on the Balang Island Bridge, North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan on Saturday, August 17 2024.
The action was held by dozens of activists from Greenpeace, WALHI and JATAM as a series of commemorations of the 79th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
Journalists arrived at the Lango Beach area, precisely on Kwangan Island, at around 07.50 AM. At that location the community had gathered.
The ceremony began at around 09.42 AM accompanied by the reading of the people's proclamation.
Journalists and activists then took part in a series of activities in a procession of 14 ships towards the Balang Island bridge. Various banners bearing criticism of the government were displayed on this ship.
The journalists were stopped by officers under the Balang Island bridge at around 1 pm. They were asked to go up to the mainland, but they were refused.
They were continuously forced to get off the ship.
Journalists were led to a building not far from the Balang Island bridge. Journalists were intimidated there.
In the afternoon, journalists were allowed to return to the ship after they noted their names and media.