Harmoko appeals to Supreme Court over 'Tempo'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko, whose decision
\nto close Tempo news magazine was recently overruled by the
\nJakarta High Administrative Court, announced yesterday that he
\nhad filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, his last and only
\nlegal recourse.<\/p>\n
\"It is our obligation as good citizens to use our legal
\noptions to get to the final decision,\" Harmoko said during a
\nhearing with a commission of the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
\"The government has filed its appeal to the Supreme Court
\nthrough Attorney General Singgih as our lawyer,\" he told the
\nhearing with Commission I for information, foreign affairs and
\ndefense. The hearing was chaired by Ali Rasjidi, the commission's
\nvice-chairman of the Golkar faction.<\/p>\n
Harmoko added that he had decided to file the appeal on the
\nadvise of Singgih.<\/p>\n
The administrative high court last month upheld the Jakarta
\nAdministrative Court's ruling that found Harmoko's decision to
\nrevoke the publishing license of Tempo unconstitutional.<\/p>\n
Tempo lost its license in June 1994 because of its editorial
\ncontent which the government said caused national instability.
\nThe magazine's chief editor and a group of employees later filed
\na lawsuit with the administrative court and won the case last
\nMay. Harmoko appealed to the high court and lost.<\/p>\n
The minister, however, has refused to abide by the court
\nruling ordering him to return Tempo's license.<\/p>\n
Harmoko, who is also the chairman of the dominant political
\ngroup Golkar, came under attack yesterday from legislators of the
\nminority parties the United Development Party (PPP) and the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party (PDI) over his legal battle with
\nTempo.<\/p>\n
Sophan Sophiaan of the PDI faction said the government should
\nbe \"realistic\" and accept the high court's decision.<\/p>\n
Ircham Abdurrochim of the PPP faction also told Harmoko not to
\npursue the case any further.<\/p>\n
\"There is no need to file an appeal. Stop the case here and
\nnow,\" he said. \"It is clear that the legal base for revoking the
\nlicense is subordinated by the Press Law.\"<\/p>\n
At yesterday's meeting, the House members also questioned
\nHarmoko about the government's plan to participate in the
\nconstruction of a US$400 million tower in Jakarta, saying that
\nthe fund should be used to improve the welfare of people.<\/p>\n
Harmoko defended the plan, saying that the 500-meter Menara
\nJakarta will also be used by all TV and radio broadcasting
\nstations, ensuring better reception for people in the capital.<\/p>\n
\"We need a higher tower to increase the frequency of all
\ntelevision and radio stations, but we do not have money,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Three leading businessmen Sudwikatmono, Prayogo Pangestu and
\nHenry Pribadi have formed a consortium called PT Indocitra Graha
\nBawana which will build the tower. The government has agreed to
\ntake part in the project although it has not been disclosed how
\nmuch equity it is acquiring. (01)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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