Different reports, cause confusion

If you want to maintain peace in your heart and mind, do not read too many newspapers. Stick to one, because this will prevent you from becoming confused and frustrated.

I read many dailies, among others The Jakarta Post and Kompas, both of which are reputable newspapers backed by an experienced professional staff. But I was confused when reading an article on "yellowization" printed on Jan. 16, 1997.

The Jakarta Post reported: "A high ranking government official yesterday criticized the Central Java administration's controversial policy that orders the painting of objects in public places in Golkar's color of yellow. Director General for Social and Political Affairs Sutoyo N.K. expressed his regret at the scheme, which has created a dispute pitting the Surakarta mayoralty against activists of the United Development Party (PPP) whose party color is green. Such problems would have not happened if the Central Java Administration had followed the mechanism recommended by the 1974 Law on Regional Government." This criticism made Sutoyo the first top official to take a stance against the policy favoring Golkar.

However Kompas reported: "I am not blaming the regional government of Surakarta nor the PPP regional executives on the issue of "yellowization", in that region. That is a problem of the regional government of Surakarta and not the Ministry of Home Affairs. The "yellowization" campaign, which has even declared that every street banner be painted yellow, is affecting a number of areas. But Sutoyo explained that every region is an autonomous area, where the head of that region has the authority to regulate his area according to Law No. 5, 1974. Sutoyo was not clear on whether there was a special instruction from the Ministry of Home Affairs on the "yellowization" campaign in the regions prior to the upcoming general elections."

In my opinion The Jakarta Post suggested that Sutoyo did not agree with the "yellowization" campaign and criticized these actions, but Kompas, on the other hand, quoted Sutoyo as not entirely condemning "yellowization".

I am really confused, because two reputable newspapers reported different statements presented on the same day by the same official i.e. the Director General of Social and Political Affairs of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta