Five new TV stations get permits

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Information issued licenses for five new private television stations on Wednesday.

The five stations are: PT Televisi Transformasi Indonesia (Trans-TV), PT Duta Visual Nusantara, PT Global Informasi Bermutu (Global TV), PT Pasaraya Mediakarya (PR TV) and PT Media Televisi Indonesia (MTI-TV).

Trans-TV is owned by businessman Chaerul Tanjung and managed by Ishadi SK, while PT Duta is controlled by businessman H. Sukoyo.

Global-TV is managed by senior journalist Nasir Tamara, with shareholders including A. Tirto Sudiro and MS. Ralie Siregar, former president of RCTI television station.

PR-TV is owned by businessman and former minister Abdul Latief, with RCTI's former editors Chris Kelana and Desi Anwar as its managers.

MTI-TV is owned by publishing businessman Surya Paloh, with Andi F. Noya as its chief editor.

The ministry's secretary general IGK. Manila said each of the companies is obliged to submit a bank guarantee of Rp 2 billion to obtain the licenses.

"If the stations do not operate for at least two years, the bank guarantee and the licenses will be terminated," Manila said. (jun)