Consumer institute to sue over TV

JAKARTA: The Surabaya Consumer Protection Institute (LPKS) has sent a legal notification to a consumer products company, PT Unilever Indonesia, over a live program broadcast by all but one private TV channel on Oct. 4.

LPKS director Paidi Pawiro Rejo said the program -- the Clear Top Ten Awards for Indonesian Musicians -- violated Article 4 of Law No. 8/1999 on consumer protection and Article 40 (10) of Law No. 32/2002 on broadcasting.

"The live broadcast on 10 national private TV channels deprived the public of the freedom to watch alternative programs," Paidi said.

The program was televised between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Paidi said his institute was giving the company until Nov. 2 to apologize on all 10 TV channels and in three newspapers. If no apology was forthcoming, the LPKS would file a lawsuit with the Central Jakarta District Court.

The company's corporate relations director, Maurits Lalisang, said in a statement that the program was widely broadcast "in response to the enthusiasm shown by the public, who not only live in Jakarta but in other cities as well."

While the statement also said the company regretted any inconvenience caused, it remained unclear whether it will fulfill the LPKS demand. -- JP

;JP;AMD; ANPAa..r.. Scene-book-lawmaker Lawmaker starts a joke JP/4/SCENE

House legislator no joke

JAKARTA: House of Representatives legislator Baharuddin Aritonang launched a book on Tuesday containing dozens of jokes and funny experiences about the nation's lawmakers.

Titled "Big laughs in Senayan", the jokes and anecdotes were collected during House sessions and working visits made by legislators

Senayan is the area in Central Jakarta where the House building is located.

Baharuddin said lawmakers shared jokes not only during breaks or their free time, but also during sessions in the House's committee rooms.

"We have good laughs quite often. It is very common for the members of the Senayan community to have good bellylaughs," Baharuddin of the Golkar Party said.

Senior journalist and writer Arswendo Atmowiloto said in his preface that Baharuddin deliberately used euphemisms or disguised the characters in order not to offend his colleagues.

Baharuddin previously published another book titled "Batak man makes the haj pilgrimage." -- Antara