Confusion marks President's first day at the palace

JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri's first day at the presidential palace was marked with confusion among journalists assigned to cover her day's activities.

Megawati, who arrived at the palace at about 10 a.m., smiled and waved to the journalists on hand, who were arguing with the presidential security guards over whether they were allowed to take pictures of the President or not.

According to new regulations, which were read out by members of the presidential public relations staff, all journalists were confined to one room and were not allowed to move freely around the palace compound, while photographers and cameramen had to take turns to film or snap pictures of the President's activities.

A former theater, located near the security posts after the front entrance of the State Palace, was prepared for the media by palace officials. The room was last used by former president B.J. Habibie.

Because it is a theater, the room was dimly lit. The air was musty and the room's condition would make it difficult for the President's guests to hold a news conference there.

There were no facilities in the temporary newsroom, except for a set of musical instruments in a corner of the room.

"Perhaps the President wants us all to change our profession from journalists to singers. That would make her job easy," one journalist joked.

"At a time like this, we sure miss (former president) Abdurrahman Wahid," another journalist remarked.

Megawati was appointed President, replacing Abdurrahman on July 23. Abdurrahman was known for his openness with journalists and fully supported freedom of the press during his tenure.

Palace officials later moved the news conference into an open passage between the State Palace and the theater so that anybody passing on Jl. Juanda Raya in front of the palace could see who was speaking to the journalists.

For photographers and cameramen, the officials also announced other regulations, such as taking turns to snap pictures or film the President.

"Photographers that have already taken pictures inside the palace, should not take pictures of the President's other guests," one of the officials said.

In response to the rulings, most journalists complained that they were forced to argue with the officials.

"Please, be patient. This is the first day and it's the best that we can do for now. Actually, the presidential guards did not allow all the photographers to take pictures when the President met her guests," an official, who asked not to be named, said.

"It's not just you who's confused with these new regulations, we are too," the official added.

Unconfirmed information passed among the journalists mentioned that the order to restrict the movement of reporters in the palace came from a high-ranking official of the presidential security guards.

"Just give us time, at least a week, and maybe we can improve the situation," the official requesting anonymity added. (dja)