Indonesia - May 2025

A journalist for the news website Detik retracted an op-ed in May criticizing the appointment of Army general Djaka Budi Utama to a high-level Finance Ministry position after being physically assaulted twice by masked attackers the same day the op-ed was published. The editorial criticized Djaka’s appointment as being outside the scope allowed for active-duty generals as permitted by law, as well as for his conviction in 1999 for overseeing the kidnapping and ‘disappearing’ of pro-democracy activists. After Djaka’s appointment was announced, a government spokesperson clarified that Djaka had resigned earlier in the month. Rights activists called on the government to protect freedom of expression and said the attack was not without recent precedent. In March 2025, unknown individuals sent a disturbing package to the offices of the magazine Tempo, in what was similarly understood to be efforts to intimidate critical reporting. 

Sources: Nikkei Asia, Jakarta Post, Kompas