 "Why was an Indonesian news outlet sent a decapitated pig’s head?")
Indonesian investigative magazine Tempo, renowned for its bold journalism and exposés on powerful institutions, has been subjected to a series of threats that have sparked outrage among press freedom advocates.
Last week, the publication received a severed pig’s head with its ears removed, followed days later by a box containing six decapitated rats. These unsettling deliveries arrived without any explanation or claim of responsibility.
Deputy editor-in-chief Bagja Hidayat expressed deep concern, calling it a “terrifying” act that goes beyond Tempo and affects the entire journalist community in Indonesia. “This message isn’t just for Tempo but all reporters in Indonesia,” he told Reuters.
The threats did not stop with physical intimidation. Soon after receiving the pig’s head, Tempo’s Instagram account received messages indicating that “terror” would not be deterred.
Additionally, political reporter Francisca Christy Rosana, to whom the pig’s head was addressed, was doxxed. Her personal contact information was leaked online, and her mother’s phone was hacked.
Press freedom advocates raise the alarm
These incidents have raised alarms about the growing risks journalists face in Indonesia.
Press freedom organisations, including Amnesty International, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have condemned the attacks and called for a thorough police investigation.
CPJ’s Asia programme coordinator Beh Lih Yi described the delivery of the pig’s head as “a dangerous and deliberate act of intimidation.”
She urged President Prabowo Subianto to uphold press freedom and take the matter seriously, adding, “Tempo is well known internationally for its fiercely independent reporting. Using this playbook from autocrats elsewhere simply will not work.”
Authorities have acknowledged the case, with a senior police official stating that investigations are underway. The National Commission on Human Rights has also launched an inquiry. However, concerns persist regarding the government’s commitment to ensuring justice.
Bayu Wardhana, AJI’s secretary-general, pointed out that many attacks on the media in Indonesia often lead to dead ends, with perpetrators rarely held accountable. “This terror would intensify the fears of journalists who are already receiving threats,” he warned.
“Just cook” the pig’s head
Despite the seriousness of the incident, the government’s response has drawn criticism. Presidential spokesperson Hasan Nasbi initially downplayed the threats, suggesting that Tempo journalists should “just cook” the pig’s head.
We stand in solidarity with Tempo journalists who faced a terror attack‼️
— KontraS #StopGenocide🍉 (@KontraSupdates) March 21, 2025
On March 19, Tempo’s office received a pig’s head—a blatant threat to press freedom. An attack on the press is an attack on our collective security. The terror targeting TEMPO is a blatant attempt to… pic.twitter.com/q8YagM1FWY
His comment sparked outrage on social media, prompting him to clarify that the administration remains committed to press freedom. “There is no change in the government’s commitment to press freedom,” he later stated.
The threats against Tempo come amid growing tensions between the media and the Prabowo administration. The magazine has been vocal in its criticism of government policies, including controversial budget cuts and legislative changes that expand the military’s role in civilian affairs. These reports have made Tempo a frequent target of intimidation attempts.
Tempo’s history of intimidation
Tempo is no stranger to threats. The magazine was twice banned under the authoritarian rule of former President Suharto, Prabowo’s father-in-law, for its investigative reporting. Over the years, the outlet has faced bomb threats, cyberattacks and even a Molotov cocktail attack in 2010 after exposing police corruption.
However, recent incidents have taken intimidation to a disturbing new level. “Bombs, doxxing, hijacking of phone numbers — we have had so many threats in the past,” The Guardian quoted Hidayat. “But now it’s very physical. For the first time, animals and organs have been used as messengers … It’s very scary.”
The symbolism of the threats has also raised concerns. In Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, pork is considered haram. Some analysts suggest that sending a pig’s head to a journalist is meant as a deeply offensive message.
The six rats, wrapped in rose-adorned paper, are believed to reference the six hosts of Tempo’s widely followed political podcast, Bocor Alus Politik, known for its hard-hitting discussions on governance and military affairs.
Rosana, one of the hosts and the only woman among them, has reported extensively on electoral controversies and judicial scandals. “This terror is related to my writing,” she said. “I often produce coverage that criticises the government.”
Dampening press freedom in Indonesia
The attacks against Tempo coincide with a wider crackdown on journalists in Indonesia. Recently, two reporters covering a protest against a new military law were assaulted by police and forced to delete their footage.
The law, which increases the power of the military, has t riggered widespread demonstrations , with concerns that it could signal a return to military rule.
At an event marking Indonesia’s National Press Day last month, Prabowo warned against “fake news” and called on journalists to “contribute to national development.” His statements, coupled with the attacks on Tempo, have heightened fears that press freedom in Indonesia is under threat.
Ross Tapsell, an expert on Indonesian media at the Australian National University, described the Tempo case as a crucial test for the Prabowo government. “A flippant or nonchalant response will signal that journalists are legitimate targets of attacks,” he told The Guardian.
He also noted that the incident is part of a broader trend of growing hostility toward female journalists in Southeast Asia. “Hyper-masculine, military-leaning leadership encourages more overt displays of misogyny,” he added.
Goenawan Mohamad, the founder of Tempo magazine, denounced the threats as a “sign of cowardice” and warned against any potential government attempts to curb media freedom. “Today, thanks to Reformasi, you can’t ban a newspaper. But it will be interesting to see if there is any move from the regime to review the press law.”
Since the fall of Suharto in 1998, Indonesia has been regarded as having one of the freest press environments in Southeast Asia. However, recent events suggest that hard-won freedoms may be at risk.
The government previously considered revisions to media laws that would have severely restricted investigative journalism. Following public backlash, the proposal was shelved, but concerns remain about future efforts to undermine independent reporting.
Journalists like Rosana remain resolute: “I want to say to all female journalists: don’t be afraid of intimidation, because those who intimidate are actually those who are afraid of the truth.”
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
