Pig Head Terror and the Palace's Lack of Empathy

A package containing a pig's head was delivered by a courier to the Tempo Editorial Office on Wednesday (19/3/2025) at 4:15 PM. The package was addressed to Tempo journalist Francisca Christy Rosana, also known as Cica. However, since Cica was not in the office that day, she only received it the following day at around 3:00 PM.

Deputy Chief Editor of Tempo, Bagja Hidayat, stated that the courier was in the Tempo office complex for approximately 10 minutes. The courier briefly removed his helmet, made a phone call, and sat on a chair. Furthermore, the name Cica as the recipient of the package was only written down when the courier arrived at the Tempo office.

"The marker was even borrowed from the security guard (at Tempo's office). What was astonishing was that the courier knew Cica's full name, although there was one letter that was incorrect. Her name is Francisca, but he wrote it as Fransisca. However, the spelling of Christy Rosana's name was not incorrect," he said.

The terror against Cica is not the first. Previously, an unknown individual had visited and photographed her house in Yogyakarta. This incident had also frightened her mother.

Before the perpetrator of the pig head package was revealed, the Tempo office was again sent animal carcasses. On Saturday (3/22/2025), Tempo's cleaning staff found a box containing six rat carcasses with their heads cut off.

Based on examination of CCTV footage, the package was thrown by an unknown person from outside the Tempo office complex fence at 02.11. This series of terrors is a systematic attack on the press.

The Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Pers urged the police to investigate, uncover, and prosecute the perpetrators of the terror. "We condemn the intimidation by whoever is behind it who obstructs journalistic work," said LBH Pers Director Mustafa in a press statement.

Journalists carry out journalistic work as a form of supervision and control (checks and balances) and the embodiment of their duties as the fourth pillar of democracy. So, all forms of intimidation and threats carried out are obstacles to press work that can result in violations of the right to a sense of security for journalists and the public's right to information.

The terror of sending pig heads was quite well planned.

Indonesian National Police Chief General (Pol) Listyo Sigit Prabowo ordered an investigation into the pig's head terror case at the Tempo editorial office. He asked his staff to immediately conduct further investigations into the case that had been reported to the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit.

"Regarding the incident in the Tempo media, I have ordered the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit to conduct further investigation. I think we will all provide the best service to be able to follow up on this matter," Listyo said in Medan, North Sumatra, Saturday.

Many parties condemned the terror. In fact, a number of representatives of civil society organizations visited the Tempo office to provide solidarity support, Thursday (3/20/2025). They came carrying white and red roses.

Human Rights (HAM) activist who is also the Presidium of the Victim Solidarity Network for Justice (JSKK) Sumarsih admitted that she was very concerned about the terror experienced by Tempo. She hopes that the Indonesian press will remain steadfast in guarding the government.

"Hopefully the white rose will be a symbol of our sincerity in navigating the journey of struggle to oversee the running of the government and the red rose will be the spirit for Tempo to side with the oppressed people," he said.

The terror against Tempo cannot be underestimated. Because, the threat can spread fear to journalists and the press in carrying out their journalistic work, including criticizing government policies that are considered wrong.

One of the founders of Lokataru Foundation, Nurkholis Hidayat, said that the terror against Tempo was a fatal attack and could not be tolerated. “Journalists continue to write critically. A critical attitude is very necessary in the current situation. For those who attack, we are not afraid. Let's continue to carry out our role in protecting this country,” he said.

In the midst of the terror that has the potential to threaten press freedom, the Palace's response is considered to lack empathy. Head of the Presidential Communications Office Hasan Nasbi assessed that there was no interference with press freedom. Regarding the sending of a pig's head to the Tempo editorial office, he joked, "Just cook it" (Kompas.id, 3/21/2025).

Looking back, terror using animal carcasses cannot be underestimated. This kind of terror was experienced by Suciwati, the wife of human rights activist Munir, in 2004. She was sent a package containing a carcass with severed heads, claws, innards, and chicken droppings.

On the inside of the styrofoam box of the package was a piece of paper with threatening writing, “Watch out!!!!! Don’t involve the TNI in Munir’s death. Do you want to follow like this?!” (Kompas, 11/21/2004).

Press Council Chair Ninik Rahayu asked the police to thoroughly investigate the perpetrators of the terror against Tempo. She said that terror against the press is a form of violence and thuggery.

"We really hope that the violent and intimidating actions carried out by irresponsible parties will be revealed because they can harm democracy and the professional work of journalists," he said.