Semarang, Central Java (ANTARA) - Second Inspector Endri Purwa Sefa, the police officer at the center of an incident involving violence against an ANTARA News Agency journalist in Semarang, Central Java, last weekend, has apologized for his actions.
The security protocol officer slapped ANTARA photojournalist Makna Zaesar on the back of his head while the latter was covering Indonesian Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo's visit to Tawang Station in Semarang on Saturday, April 5.
He also threatened to "slap" every journalist present during the incident.
"I regret my actions and would like to apologize to my media colleagues for the incident at Tawang Station," the police officer stated after meeting with Zaesar at the ANTARA News Agency's Central Java office on Sunday, April 6.
Sefa also promised to act in a more humane, professional, and mature manner while on duty.
The meeting was mediated by Central Java Police's Public Relations Division Chief Senior Commissioner Artanto and ANTARA News Agency's News Director Irfan Junaidi.
Although Zaesar accepted the apology, he expressed his hope that the police would take corrective action.
Meanwhile, Senior Commissioner Artanto expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing that standard security procedures should not be carried out in an overly "emotional" manner. He assured that an investigation would be conducted.
"If we find any violations, the officer will be sanctioned according to the law," Artanto affirmed.
The police officer also expressed hope that such an incident would not recur and that it would not discourage the press from trusting and collaborating with the police.
Furthermore, News Director Irfan Junaidi called for self-evaluation within the police force to increase their professionalism following the incident. He also deplored the incident, highlighting the role of the press in serving the public.
"Nonetheless, ANTARA will continue to carry out its journalistic work professionally and objectively, and will work with the police as one of the public stakeholders to ensure that we can perform our duties effectively," Junaidi remarked.
