Batam to get 2 TV relay stations

Batam to get 2 TV relay stations

BATAM (JP): Two private television companies, RCTI and SCTV,
will have their US$3 million relay station dedicated by the
Minister of Information Harmoko today.

High ranking officials from neighboring Malaysia, Singapore,
Brunei and Indonesia are expected to attend the inaugural
ceremony.

Among the foreign dignitaries to attend the ceremony are
Malaysian Information Minister Dato' H. Mohammad Rachmat and the
Singaporean and Brunei ambassadors to Jakarta.

The new TV facility is expected to help foster understanding
among the four neighbors because the TV programs will also reach
the three neighboring countries.

RCTI's spokesman Eduard Depari, State Minister for Research
and Technology B.J. Habibie and Minister of Tourism, Post and
Telecommunications Joop Ave will also be present.

For the past six months of the relay station's trial-run
operation, people on Batam have been able enjoy programs aired by
SCTV and RCTI after exposure to TVRI and Malaysian and
Singaporean channels, Edward said.

"Now it will be difficult for Singapore to maintain a closed
sky policy," he said.

Batam, Eduard said, was chosen as the site of the new station
because the island of 147,000 people was strategic in economic,
political and cultural terms.(anr)