South Sulawesi Journalist Faces Intimidation After Exposing Diesel Subsidy Fraud

A journalist from Fajar Daily experienced telephone intimidation from a diesel businessman (HS) in Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi, on Friday, May 31, 2024.
The intimidation occurred after the publication of a report on May 20, 2024, titled "Subsidized Diesel Illegally Traded." The article reported allegations of diesel subsidy fraud involving fishermen in Pangkep Regency and included a statement from an anonymous fisherman. The fisherman revealed that subsidized diesel often runs out at gas stations, leading them to purchase it from a businessman with a large stock, which is then sold to industrial ships.

Following the initial report, three additional news stories were published at the end of May 2024. These stories criticized the illegal trade of diesel subsidies for fishermen and accused the police of failing to act on the case.

On May 31, 2024, HS attempted to contact the journalist via WhatsApp telephone three times but did not receive a response. HS then called the journalist again, speaking in a raised voice and demanding an immediate meeting. HS wanted to know where the journalist was and expressed a desire to meet the source of the report about the fisherman who bought diesel from him. HS also requested a photo of the source.

Shortly afterward, HS sent another threatening message via WhatsApp. Later that day, around 2 p.m., a white car was seen parked at the journalist’s residential complex. HS’s relatives visited the journalist’s family home and spoke with his mother and sister. They inquired about how to meet the journalist and stated they would continue to wait for the journalist to address their demands regarding the fishermen who were sources in the news.