East Java councilors to be gagged in future
East Java councilors to be gagged in future
SURABAYA (JP): Rather than coaching and educating their
councillors, major political parties in East Java are
contemplating bridling councillors' freedom to speak to the media
to curb embarrassing and contradictory news statements.
The move is being taken because, according to senior
politicians in the province, many councillors simply do not know
how to deal with the media.
Adrianus Harsono, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), acknowledged on Thursday that his
party, along with the National Awakening Party (PAN), Golkar and
the Indonesian Military (TNI) factions, would in the future
likely only allow faction leaders to make statements to the
media.
If the plan is approved, only the speaker, deputy speakers and
the chief of each faction in the East Java provincial council
would speak directly to journalists.
Others would only be allowed to convey their aspirations
through their party superiors.
"We are very distraught about negative reports about our
activities. These news reports are the product of a conspiracy
between journalists and certain irresponsible legislators,"
Adrianus claimed.
He added many of the statements being expressed were often
"unproportional".
He further alleged that legislators from smaller factions in
the provincial council, including the United Development Party
(PPP) and the National Mandate Party (PAN), were maliciously
accusing fellow members of corruption, collusion and nepotism
(KKN), through the media.
"This has nothing to do with returning to the New Order era.
It is merely aimed at restoring the mechanisms of implementing
democracy," Adrianus remarked.
Councillor Ahmad Ruba'i from PAN condemned the plan and said
each legislator should have the freedom to speak out when
protecting the peoples' aspirations.
He described the plan to restrict freedom of speech as a part
of plan to resurrect New Order forces.
"Prostatus quo forces are now trying to make a comeback.
People must strongly protest this plan," said Ahmad.
About 25 journalists have also protested the planned
restrictions, threatening to boycott coverage of the councillors'
activities.
But the protest was met with little response as council
members and council speaker Bisri Abdul Jalil refused to comment.
(nur/prb)