Debate on PDI conflict censored

Debate on PDI conflict censored

SURABAYA: Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) may have difficulties airing a taped debate on the well-known leadership crisis that is crippling the East Java chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

Sources said some key provincial government officials are unhappy with the debate recorded in Jakarta last week in which one party in the conflict criticized the local administration's role in the conflict.

The Surabaya-based SCTV is scheduled to air the debate on its highly popular talk show Di Balik Berita, or Behind the News, next Thursday at 6.30 p.m..

The debate features Sutjipto and Latief Pudjosakti, who each claims to be the legitimate party branch chief, and Ramlan Surbakti, a political scientist from Surabaya's Airlangga University.

The two-year-old rivalry was prolonged after PDI central executive board chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, who appointed Sutjipto, refused to repeat the election as proposed by East Java governor Basofi Sudirman, who has given tacit support to Latief.

A reliable source told The Jakarta Post that four hours before the debate was recorded, the SCTV management was warned to be "careful" with the program.

When the recording was taking place, more than a dozen security officers guarded the venue. Local officials have asked SCTV's management for copies of the interview, the source said.

"The Ministry of Information is checking on the recorded interview and we are waiting for their explanation," SCTV spokeswoman Dini S. Rahim said. (15/pan)