JG Photographer Recognized for Gayus Photo

Jakarta Globe, April 19, 2011

This photograph of Gayus Tambunan, wearing a wig and glasses,
watching a tennis tournament in Bali in early November when he should
have been behind bars, won Jakarta Globe chief photographer Jurnasyanto
Sukarno a National Press Day award on Tuesday.

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A photograph that unravelled deep-rooted corrupt practices in law enforcement institutions earned a Jakarta Globe photographer a National Press Day Award on Tuesday.

The photograph, taken by the Globe's chief photographer, Jurnasyanto Sukarno, and published on the Nov. 6, 2010, issue, depicted a wig-wearing man among the spectators in a tennis tournament in Bali bearing an uncanny resemblance to disgraced former taxman Gayus Tambunan.

The publication of the picture, and a similar one in Kompas newspaper a few days later, led to the discovery that Gayus, who should have been behind bars pending a graft verdict, had been able to bribe his way out of his detention cell at will, including to go on vacations overseas with his wife.

"The picture spoke volumes about the corruption plaguing this country," Globe chief editor Bhimanto Suwastoyo said.

Gayus will soon face trial for bribery charges related to the illicit jaunts, while the former chief warden at the Brimob detention center and several other correctional officers are currently on trial for receiving bribes to let him out of the heavily guarded facility.

The award was also given to Kompas photographer Agus Susanto, who also took the same picture, and Suara Hidayatullah journalist Surya Fachrizal for his extraordinary coverage of the sending of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on board the Marvi Marmara boat.

Indonesia Corruption Watch was also presented with the National Press Day Award for its extraordinary efforts in fighting corruption and its close partnership with the press in these efforts.

The awards were presented by the 2011 National Press Day Community during a gathering at the TVRI building in South Jakarta that also saw the awarding of the Gold Medal for Journalism Spirit to veteran journalist Jacob Oetama and the “Press Card Number One” to 35 journalists in recognition for their professionalism, integrity and contributions to press freedom.