Debate on PDI conflict censored<\/p>\n
SURABAYA: Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) may have difficulties
\nairing a taped debate on the well-known leadership crisis that is
\ncrippling the East Java chapter of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI).<\/p>\n
Sources said some key provincial government officials are
\nunhappy with the debate recorded in Jakarta last week in which
\none party in the conflict criticized the local administration's
\nrole in the conflict.<\/p>\n
The Surabaya-based SCTV is scheduled to air the debate on its
\nhighly popular talk show Di Balik Berita, or Behind the News,
\nnext Thursday at 6.30 p.m..<\/p>\n
The debate features Sutjipto and Latief Pudjosakti, who each
\nclaims to be the legitimate party branch chief, and Ramlan
\nSurbakti, a political scientist from Surabaya's Airlangga
\nUniversity.<\/p>\n
The two-year-old rivalry was prolonged after PDI central
\nexecutive board chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, who appointed
\nSutjipto, refused to repeat the election as proposed by East Java
\ngovernor Basofi Sudirman, who has given tacit support to Latief.<\/p>\n
A reliable source told The Jakarta Post that four hours before
\nthe debate was recorded, the SCTV management was warned to be
\n"careful" with the program.<\/p>\n
When the recording was taking place, more than a dozen
\nsecurity officers guarded the venue. Local officials have asked
\nSCTV's management for copies of the interview, the source said.<\/p>\n
"The Ministry of Information is checking on the recorded
\ninterview and we are waiting for their explanation," SCTV
\nspokeswoman Dini S. Rahim said. (15\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/debate-on-pdi-conflict-censored-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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