'SCTV' finally airing debate on PDI conflict<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): After two weeks of uncertainty, Surya Citra
\nTelevisi (SCTV) will tonight finally air the controversial debate
\non the leadership crisis in the provincial chapter of the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party (PDI).<\/p>\n
The debate features Sutjipto and Latief Pudjosakti, who each
\nclaim to be the legitimate party branch chief, and Ramlan
\nSurbakti, a political scientist from Surabaya's Airlangga
\nUniversity.<\/p>\n
\"We have decided to air the debate tonight,\" SCTV spokesperson
\nDini S. Rahim told The Jakarta Post yesterday.<\/p>\n
The airing of the 30-minute debate, to be broadcast from 6:30
\nto 7:00 p.m., has been in limbo since its recording on March 29
\nin Jakarta due to the government's intervention.<\/p>\n
Sources said some key provincial government officials are
\nunhappy with the debate, in which one party in the conflict
\ncriticizes the local administration's stand on the crisis.<\/p>\n
A senior provincial government official reportedly took a copy
\nof the tape away to inspect it while the Ministry of Information
\nalso wanted to censor it before broadcasting.<\/p>\n
But Director General for Radio, Television and Film Dewabrata
\nlast week denied reports that the ministry had forbidden the
\nprivate TV station to air the debate.<\/p>\n
Latief, who has East Java governor Basofi Sudirman's tacit
\nsupport, threatened to mobilize his supporters to demonstrate at
\nSCTV if it didn't broadcast the debate.<\/p>\n
The threat prompted the local government to deploy dozens of
\npolice officers and troops to guard the TV station's premises for
\ntwo days last week.<\/p>\n
\"If SCTV keeps suspending the broadcast, that would mean the
\nstation disrespects me,\" he said yesterday after holding a closed
\nmeeting with his supporters.<\/p>\n
His arch rival, Sutjipto -- who has PDI chairperson Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri's strong support -- also demanded an airing. \"If it
\nis not aired, it would represent an offense against the PDI as a
\nwhole.\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Basofi denied he had interfered in the tape
\ncontroversy. \"How can people say I meddled when I have not even
\nseen the tape?\" he said.<\/p>\n
Reliable sources have said that SCTV officials were divided
\nafter the authorities warned them to be \"careful\". (15\/01\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sctv-finally-airing-debate-on-pdi-conflict-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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