Surya Paloh: A publisher with idealism<\/p>\n
By T. Sima Gunawan<\/p>\n
In conjunction with National Press Day and the 50th
\nanniversary of the Indonesian Journalists Association, which fell
\non Feb. 9, The Jakarta Post talked to publisher Surya Paloh.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Surya Paloh secured a spot in the history of the
\nIndonesian press as the first publisher to challenge the validity
\nof a government press ban in court.<\/p>\n
In 1992, five years after his Prioritas daily was banned,
\nSurya asked the Supreme Court to review a controversial
\nministerial decree that allowed the Minister of Information to
\nrevoke publishing licenses.<\/p>\n
In 1993 the Supreme Court dismissed the suit because it had
\nyet to issue its judicial review procedures for such cases.
\nHowever, Surya's boldness prompted the Supreme Court to issue the
\nprocedures, a judicial milestone. The judicial review procedures
\nallowed the government to be challenged on any of its
\nregulations, including ministerial decrees.<\/p>\n
Based on the judicial review procedures, following the banning
\nof Tempo, DeTik and Editor in 1994 over 1,000 journalists, press
\nemployees and mass media subscribers asked the Supreme Court to
\nreview the 1984 Decree of the Ministry of Information on the
\nPublishing License (SIUPP). To date the court has yet to reach
\nany decision.<\/p>\n
Surya published Prioritas in 1986. The paper, which was
\ncritical of the government, lost its publishing license in June
\n1987 following a number of warnings from the government.<\/p>\n
The daily, with a circulation of 95,000, was accused of
\npublishing "insinuative and tendentious reports" that created "a
\nsituation that confused the public". Earlier in 1987, the paper
\nwas strongly reprimanded for carrying a story on Indonesia's huge
\nforeign debt under what the government considered "a misleading
\nheadline".<\/p>\n
After the ban, Surya applied for a new publishing license, but
\nhis application was rejected.<\/p>\n
In 1989, Surya took over the management of Media Indonesia,
\nthen a poorly-managed newspaper. To improve the paper's image,
\nSurya changed the logo, implemented a new managerial and
\neditorial system and recruited young professionals. He even ruled
\nthat his male reporters wear ties.<\/p>\n
"I want to change public perception that journalists are kumuh
\n(sloppy)," he said.<\/p>\n
He told the reporters to be proud of their profession and
\nmaintain their self-dignity.<\/p>\n
Today, Media Indonesia has a circulation of 160,000.<\/p>\n
Following Media Indonesia's success, Surya tried to develop a
\nnumber of smaller publications.<\/p>\n
Most of his endeavors failed. Yet, his fight to improve the
\nIndonesian press has never waned.<\/p>\n
When the government revoked the publishing licenses of Tempo,
\nEditor and DeTik in 1993, Surya was deeply grieved and lashed out
\nat the Indonesian Journalists Association for supporting the
\nclosures. He also regretted the lack of solidarity among the
\npress community.<\/p>\n
Surya was born in Aceh in 1951 and grew up in Medan, North
\nSumatra. He is married to Rosita Barack and has a son.<\/p>\n
The following is an excerpt from The Jakarta Post's interview
\nwith Surya in his office earlier this week:<\/p>\n
Q: What is the significance of the National Press Day?<\/p>\n
A: This is the time for self-reflection, a deliberation about
\nthe role of the national press. I don't mean to exaggerate, but
\nwe have to be modest and honest about the fact that the national
\npress' roll is still insignificant. We haven't made progress
\nequal to the progress made by other professions or industries.<\/p>\n
The press in this country needs empowerment.<\/p>\n
We think we have done our best. But, honestly speaking, all of
\nthe instruments in the press community are trapped in the
\nattitude of making excuses. We give ourselves too many excuses.
\nIf we fail to progress, we always put the blame on external
\nfactors. We are not able to develop solidarity among the press
\ncommunity and motivate ourselves to get closer to each other.
\nThere have been debacles which should have made us laugh at
\nourselves.<\/p>\n
Q: Could you be more specific?<\/p>\n
A: We have never been moved to fight for something which is
\nimportant to the existence of the press. We don't have a strong
\nbasis of solidarity. The banning of newspapers is a concrete
\nexample. We have never really felt the agony of press bans.<\/p>\n
One or two press groups might struggle hard, but there is
\nprejudice that these groups struggle only in their own interest.
\nToo bad. We should have looked at it more closely. Such prejudice
\naffects our fight against press regulations.<\/p>\n
Q: Doesn't press freedom have much to do with the external
\nfactors?<\/p>\n
A: There are external and internal factors that make us unable
\nto have a free press. Basically we are hypocrites. We are not
\nbrave. We are not united. We are egoists.<\/p>\n
In the past, we were more positive even though we faced more
\nhandicaps. We must be thankful for the independence, the progress
\nin development and in nation building.<\/p>\n
We don't need to mislead the public by saying that we have not
\nmade significant achievements in the past 50 years. There has
\nbeen a lot of progress and the press should have balanced this by
\nplaying a bigger role and by showing their existence, not just
\nlooking on.<\/p>\n
Q: You mentioned the need to empower the press. How can this
\nbe done?<\/p>\n
A: We must start by consolidating the press. The press
\ncommunity, like the Indonesian Journalists Association, the Press
\nCouncil, the Graphics Association and the Association of Press
\nPublishers must be independent.<\/p>\n
What can we expect from an organization if its executives are
\nnot elected by its members?<\/p>\n
It's hard. There are formal institutions, but they serve only
\nas facades. What we need is the content, the body, the soul. Our
\nPress Council is not able to channel our aspirations and struggle
\nfor the true values of the press. We don't need to lie. The time
\nto say "we are solid" has passed. We are now only extras, not the
\nlead player. The question is: Do we still want to be extras?
\nDon't we want to be the lead?<\/p>\n
Q: Can the press institutions be independent?<\/p>\n
A: After being colonized for 350 years, did people dream that
\nthey would gain independence? They thought freedom was an
\nillusion, but we did gain our independence. There was struggle
\nand sacrifice.<\/p>\n
Don't we want to struggle and sacrifice for press
\nindependence? What is it that we want?<\/p>\n
This is also a query for the elders in the press community,
\nwho are egoists, who come with their skilled oratory that gives
\nthe impression they are wise. These old people think they have
\ndone the most for the press, they say this and that. This is a
\nquery for those who can't uphold the dream for an ideal press.<\/p>\n
A: How about the Alliance of Independent Journalists?<\/p>\n
Q: It does not help. But the fact that it is there indicates
\nthat we can't stand still. The thing with the alliance is that it
\nis floating, it can't really move, it can't get the legitimation
\n(from the government) because it jumps too far. There is no place
\nfor it to hang on. It would be more realistic to reform the
\nIndonesian Journalists Association.<\/p>\n
Q: But there are journalists who are allergic to the
\nassociation.<\/p>\n
A: That is our concern. It is their right not to be members,
\nand the association must respect that. It should be introspective
\nand ask itself why the journalists don't want to be members.<\/p>\n
If I build a house but people won't live there, I would
\nwonder. Maybe there are rats in the house, maybe it is too noisy,
\nmaybe the roof leaks and can't protect people when it rains.<\/p>\n
Q: Are you optimistic that things can be improved?<\/p>\n
A: Maybe my idea is an illusion, trapped in pragmatism. But
\nhow can we achieve our long-term goal if we only think about
\ntoday? People might say that those who think about the future are
\ncrazy, too idealistic, extremists. We are trapped in a sick
\nattitude. In the end, people will be too lazy to speak. In the
\nend, we won't hear many creative ideas. This developing country
\nwill not give birth to many great thinkers, great people, great
\njournalists, great works.<\/p>\n
Q: How far does the government repress the freedom of speech?<\/p>\n
A: There is surely government restraints on the freedom of
\nspeech.<\/p>\n
We need deregulation to encourage people to speak. What can we
\nexpect from newspapers that have the number of pages limited? A
\nfew years ago, when the government extended its page limitation
\nfrom 16 to 20 pages, we cheered and clapped our hands. What was
\nspecial about that? It is our right to print more pages.<\/p>\n
About the publishing licenses, there is favoritism in their
\nissuance, but the press itself is unable to expose this issue.<\/p>\n
To get a license a publisher must fulfill a list of
\nrequirements and obtain references from the Indonesian
\nJournalists Association, the Association of Press Publishers, and
\nthe rest. What is the point of giving the reference in the first
\nplace if they are not sure about the credibility of the
\napplicant? They are the first filters.<\/p>\n
Q: Why doesn't the media expose this issue? Are we afraid?<\/p>\n
A: If the press is afraid, what can we do? Everyone has the
\nright to be afraid. I can be afraid. But I'm not afraid to
\nstruggle for the press.<\/p>\n
They are not involved in the struggle not because they are
\nafraid, but because they are lazy. Generally, I think they won't
\nstruggle because they don't have an interest to struggle for.
\nWithout such interest, how can they defend a publication which is
\nbanned without any court decision? They just don't care.<\/p>\n
When the publications (Tempo, Editor and DeTik) were banned,
\nthe Indonesian Journalists Association said they understood the
\ngovernment's decision to ban the media. I think they were
\nsadists.<\/p>\n
Q: The association is considering regulating journalists'
\nstarting salaries. What do you think?<\/p>\n
A: We have to fully support the idea. This is part of our
\nhomework. The smaller publications should allow the bigger ones
\nto grow bigger. But, the big ones should help the smaller ones to
\ngrow big.<\/p>\n
Of the more than 200 newspapers in this country, only 20 or 25
\npercent are healthy. The rest are ailing.<\/p>\n
In this case, the government must take action. Help the weak
\npublications. Give them funds, from the state budget if need be.<\/p>\n
Q: Why should the government care?<\/p>\n
A: Why not? If the government does not want to help the
\nsmaller publications, liberate us with press freedom.<\/p>\n
The government has regulations which they say protect the
\nsmaller publications. They limit the number of pages and don't
\nallow long-distance printing systems for fear this will endanger
\nthe existence of the smaller publications.<\/p>\n
I say this not only as a press observer. Call me a failed
\nfigure in the national press development. I have tried to develop
\n12 regional publications in the past four years. Only a few have
\nmanaged.<\/p>\n
Q: Are you sorry you decided to manage the small newspapers?<\/p>\n
A: No. At least people won't think that I don't have
\nsolidarity with them. I have done everything I can.<\/p>\n
My failure pays. I have gained valuable experience.<\/p>\n
Q: What made you fail?<\/p>\n
A: We faced marketing obstacles. Also, the purchasing power of
\nthe people was weak, the press regulations are limiting and human
\nresources are weak. We have to admit that the press has failed to
\nproduce good managers.<\/p>\n
Q: How much did you lose financial?<\/p>\n
A: I lost Rp 35 billion (current rate US$15.2 million), that
\nis a huge sum of money for a middle-class businessman like me.<\/p>\n
Q: I understand that you have many other businesses. What are
\nthey?<\/p>\n
A: I have various trading, supply and service businesses.<\/p>\n
Q: Is it true that President Soeharto's son, Bambang
\nTrihatmodjo, has shares in Media Indonesia?<\/p>\n
A: He does not have any share in it. We are just good friends.<\/p>\n
Q: Media Indonesia is an outspoken newspaper. Hasn't the
\ngovernment warned you?<\/p>\n
A: We have had many warnings, sent orally and written. This
\nmakes all of us restless.<\/p>\n
I wonder when the time will come when a court order is
\nwarranted for the revocation of a publishing license.<\/p>\n
Q: Despite all of the warnings, you seem to be close to
\nMinister of Information Harmoko.<\/p>\n
A: Yes, he inaugurated our new building here in Kebon Jeruk,
\nWest Jakarta, a year ago. We were friends long before he was
\nappointed a minister.<\/p>\n
Q: Well, I see that you are building a press kingdom here. How
\nmuch did you allocate for this project?<\/p>\n
A: How much is my investment in this? I won't tell, I don't
\nwant the tax collectors to know. Ha..ha..ha...<\/p>\n
But you see. There is no guarantee that it will last forever.
\nAnytime, the government can revoke our publishing license.<\/p>\n
Q: Last year the Sunday edition of Media Indonesia temporarily
\nstopped coming out after running an interview with Nurcholis
\nMadjid on presidential succession. What happened?<\/p>\n
A: That had nothing to do with anybody. I myself decided to
\nstop publishing the Sunday edition for a while. We had to be able
\nto read the situation. We didn't want to be overheated. We needed
\nto cool down.<\/p>\n
Q: Would you have done that kind of thing three or four years
\nago?<\/p>\n
A: No. I don't think so. I have learned a lot from my past
\nexperience. As people say, experience is the best teacher.<\/p>\n
Q: How about press freedom?<\/p>\n
A: Let me make myself clear. I have never wanted absolute
\npress freedom. We need freedom which is in accordance with the
\nprogress of the state and the nation. We don't have to put our
\nplace like the press in America or in communist countries.<\/p>\n
Q: Why are you interested in the media business?<\/p>\n
A: When I was 17 years old, I wanted to become a publisher. I
\nwanted to give something to the public.<\/p>\n
I was a youth activist. At the age of 19, I was the leader of
\nGolkar students and youths in Medan and was nominated for the
\ncity council. In 1977 I was chairman of the Society of Young
\nIndonesian Businessmen. I was a member of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (from 1977-1987). I am still loyal to
\nGolkar, but I will always correct Golkar leaders and members if
\nthey step out of the line.<\/p>",
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