Analysts stage silent strike

JAKARTA (JP): Journalists without sources resemble someone who loses his or her lover -- the person from whom one seeks inspiration.

In the wake of the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly, media workers in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, as well as their counterparts in provinces outside Jakarta, bank on local analysts to enrich their stories.

As the top agenda of the session -- the presidential election -- approaches, journalists in Palu are missing out on the action because many of their sources do not appear to be in the mood.

"He's sleeping" or "he's not home" were the frustrating responses to journalists attempting to follow up on Saturday observers' responses to President B.J. Habibie's accountability speech.

Several analysts told Antara news agency they were fed up with obvious attempts by certain factions in the Assembly to force others to accept their wishes.

"Our comments are useless, because the ongoing deliberation on the nation and state affairs in the Assembly have been tarnished by unethical and emotional behavior," said a lecturer from local Tadulako University who requested anonymity.

Nobody knows how to stop the boycott. (amd)