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)