The journalists' bodies were found on a plantation in Sumatra, which they had been investigating. It is not yet clear whether the murders are linked to their work.
Maraden Sianipar, 55, and Martua Siregar, 42, were killed with bladed weapons on an illegal oil palm plantation in Labuhan Batu, in northern Sumatra. The body of the first was found on 30 October, in a ditch behind a warehouse belonging to PT Sei Alih Berombang (Sab), a company operating in the palm oil sector. Siregar's body was found the following day, in bushes near a warehouse on the same plantation.
Both journalists had investigated and reported on irregularities committed by Sab, whose concession had been suspended by the authorities a year earlier, after it was discovered that the company had destroyed 750 hectares of protected rainforest to plant oil palms. It is not yet clear whether the murders are linked to the journalists' work; police have launched an investigation and on 5 November announced they had two suspects in custody.
The two men had set out on 29 October to visit the plantation and mediate a land dispute between local residents and the company, acting in the capacity of activists. A witness, according to Mongabay, said they had seen armed plantation guards carrying machetes who were watching over the area. Violent clashes between the guards and residents attempting to harvest the palm fruits — which they claim as their own since Sab cultivated them illegally — are said to be frequent.
Indonesia has become an increasingly dangerous place for journalists, as evidenced by its 140th place out of 180 in the World press freedom index 2019, the global press freedom index. Between 2017 and 2018, according to the Indonesian independent journalists association (Aji), there were at least 75 cases of violence against journalists. The head of Aji, Erick Tanjung, stated that the police and companies are responsible for the majority of incidents of violence against journalists.
Indonesia's ancient forests, rich in biodiversity, are threatened by the uncontrolled expansion of oil palm cultivation. Deforestation has not even spared Gunung Leuser park, one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, home to unique and endangered species. Despite the moratoriums issued by the government, the destruction of forests continues unabated.
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The murder of Walhi Golfrid Siregar, a lawyer and environmental activist killed less than a month ago in circumstances that remain unclear, also in northern Sumatra, is said to be linked to illegal oil palm cultivation. The man was known above all for his work providing legal representation to local communities involved in land disputes with palm oil companies.