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)