Collusion seen in licensing publications

JAKARTA (JP): Legislators of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) alleged yesterday that the issuance of new publishing licenses are shrouded with secrecy and smell of collusion between big business and government.

In a meeting with a delegation of Women for Freedom of the Press (KPKP), PDI members expressed concern over tightened government control of the mass media, critical in the promotion of democracy.

"The condition is unhealthy for development of the mass media," said legislator Sukowaluyo. Similar comments came from legislators Sabam Sirait and Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno.

The women group met with members of the PDI faction in the House of Representatives (DPR) concerned over what they see as an inconsistency in the government's policy on publishing permits.

They questioned the way the government handled the publishing permits applied for by journalists of Tempo magazine, closed down in June together with two other weeklies, DeTIK and Editor.

In the aftermath of the media crackdown, Tempo employees were split into two camps with one wanting to start a substitute magazine Opini and the other Gatra.

The women representatives yesterday asked why the government has issued the permit only for Gatra, which is funded by tycoon Mohammad (Bob) Hasan, and let the other journalists cool their heels waiting.

Collusion

The PDI House members and the women's group alleged that there was collusion between government officials and private businessmen in the process.

"The lack of clarity in the issuance of publishing permits must be ended if the state is to be consistent about its pursuit of democracy," Sukowaluyo said.

Promising that the PDI would raise the issue with Minister of Information Harmoko, Soetardjo said he was worried that the collaboration between businessmen and officials would result in a press unable to defend the oppressed.

Spokesperson for the women's group, Emmy Hafild, said the issuance of the publishing permit for Gatra, which will appear soon, had raised a lot of unanswered questions.

There is speculation that the Ministry of Information has refused to issue the permit for Opini because Tempo sued the minister for banning it, she said.

She added that the group, which consists of representatives from various non-governmental organizations and individuals, did not mean to take sides in the conflicting Tempo camps.

"As ordinary citizens we care about our right to information," she said.

The women argued that the presence of big business in the mass media industry would threaten its purpose with profit coming first and foremost.

"It would even be worse if those in charge of the media are closely tied to the ruling elite. If that were the case, they would be serving not only their own interests but also those of the elite," she said.

Now that the government is tightening its control over the press, the present condition, she argued, is too conducive for businessmen to invest in the media industry.(pan)