Film artists body picks new leadership lineup

Film artists body picks new leadership lineup

JAKARTA (JP): In its first democratic election in 20 years,
the Indonesian Film Artists Union (Parfi) selected Sys N.S. and
Dede Yusuf to head the organization until 2002 during its 12th
congress held Wednesday and Thursday.

Sys, who runs Radio Muara Indonesia, and Dede beat 14 other
primary candidates, including Meike Wijaya -- a former ally of
the two -- and Gusti Randa, Erna Santoso and Kusumo Priyono, who
made up an opposing coalition.

Sys, 42, and Dede, 32, replace veteran actor Ratno Timoer, who
ended his five-year term Thursday after heading the union for
four consecutive terms.

Parfi had long been rocked by internal conflict, which
resulted in the establishment of the Nusantara Artists
Association (GAN) headed by Gusti Randa in 1993.

Several artists who had walked out in the previous congress,
including Farouk Afero and Camelia Malik, made an apology, which
was warmly accepted by the assembly.

The two-day congress, which cost Rp 200 million, also agreed
to abolish a controversial rule that banned artists from acting
in TV series without Parfi's recommendation. Recommendations for
non-Parfi members could be obtained by paying a standard fee to
the board.

Parfi was set up in 1956 and currently has some 1,500 members.
(ylt)