TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Alliance of Independent Journalist (AJI) is highlighting several notes relating to the press freedom in Indonesia - in particular, the waves of criminalisation and pressure made by state law enforcement authorities and institutions against journalist, in light of the 2016 National Press Day.

"Our law enforcement agency's commitment to ensure press freedom is incongruent to the promises made by President Joko Widodo," said Arfi Bambani, an AJI member at AJI's Headquarters on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. "Pressures to sources, whose safety should remain a priority, is one of things that we noted."

Arfi referred to the case that involved Erwin Natosmal Oemar - a legal researcher for the Indonesian Legal Roundtable - which was criminalised by the National Police (Polri) after appearing as a source for a TV program, Indonesian Lawyers Club.

In the episode that aired on August 2015, Erwin criticised the Police's approach to Sarpin Rizaldi's spat with the Judicial Commission members. Erwin made a few exchanges - to which Polri's spokesperson Ins. Gen Anton Charliyan responded.

Six months later, Polri's filed a report against Erwin for his comments made during the show.

Erwin's case is not the only case, continued Arfi, who said that there are at least 14 reports made against journalists that have been filed by law enforcement authorities - none of which were processed further, nor has it progress to an investigation or a trial.

"We haven't even had closure on the murders of journalists since 1996. But when the tables are turned, they are eager to criminalise members of the press - citing their legal obligation to process all reports," said a researcher for the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, Erasmus Napitupulu.

"This is completely different to how the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) has reformed its' approach," said Erasmus. "While TNI has shown the good will to resolve cases involving the press, Polri is doing the exact opposite."

ISTMAN MP