Indonesian journalists attacked over reporting at mineral processing plant

Jakarta, March 12, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Indonesian authorities to hold accountable those responsible for assaulting journalists Frendy Primadana and Dedy Wahyudi and ensure all Indonesian reporters can cover environmental issues without fear of reprisal.

At about 2 p.m. on March 7, workers at Putraprima Mineral Mandiri, a zircon processing company in Bangka Belitung province, allegedly attacked Primadana, a contributor to broadcaster tvOne, and Wahyudi, a journalist with news site Babel Faktual, according to multiple news reports and Primadana, who spoke with CPJ in a phone call.

The journalists were on site to cover a clash between small-scale suppliers of zircon, a byproduct of tin mining in Bangka and Belitung, and a military task force monitoring illegal mining and processing.

Bangka Belitung police announced on March 8 they had arrested three suspects in the alleged assault, including a security guard and an employee at Putraprima, and a truck driver for one of its suppliers. If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison, police said.

“We welcome the arrest of three suspects involved in the appalling attack on Frendy Primadana and Dedy Wahyudi. Indonesian authorities must now show with the full force of the law that such assaults will not go unpunished,” said CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi. “Journalists play an essential role holding Indonesian businesses accountable for their environmental impact. Full prosecutions will send a strong signal that violence against the press is unacceptable.”

Primadana told CPJ that he arrived at the Putraprima factory at about 1 p.m. with Wahyudi and another journalist, Wahyu Kurniawan of Suara Pos. The journalists were stopped at the gate, where the truck driver allegedly seized Wahyudi’s cellphone and punched him in the face, Primadana said, adding that Kurniawan escaped on a motorcycle.

The security guard and truck driver then allegedly punched and kicked Primadana before up to 20 other people at the site joined the attack, according to Primadana. The driver also issued a death threat against him, he said.

Workers at the factory then forced Primadana to record a video statement apologizing for his reporting on the processing facility.

Primadana and Wahyudi were rescued by police and received outpatient treatment for injuries including bruising to the body and face at a local hospital.

Putraprima did not immediately reply to CPJ’s text message requesting comment.