Golkar blasted over TV air time monopoly

Golkar blasted over TV air time monopoly

JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) legislator
accused Harmoko, the chairman of the ruling political
organization Golkar, yesterday of "disguised" election
campaigning through the television stations which he virtually
controls.

Legislator Soenarjo of Commission II raised the issue during a
hearing with Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. in his
capacity as the patron of the country's political organizations.

Soenarjo pointed out that Harmoko, who is also the minister of
information, appeared almost every night on news programs
broadcast by the state run TVRI and the privately-owned stations,
wearing the amber color symbolizing the dominant Golongan Karya
(Golkar) political organization.

Harmoko's cabinet portfolio yields him the power to control
the nation's mass media, including the television networks.

Soenarjo called the frequent television appearances covert
campaigning on the part of Golkar. "My grandson keeps asking me
if Bung Harmoko has reserved TVRI so that he can use it all the
time," he said.

In contrast, he said, the other two political parties, PDI and
the United Development Party (PPP), receive only small amounts of
air time, even for their major activities like national
congresses.

Yogie refused to comment on Soenarjo's allegations. When
journalists pressed him for a stance after the hearing, he said,
"I don't know if Pak Harmoko is campaigning for Golkar."

Soenarjo said he was worried that Harmoko's aggressive actions
were indications that the authorities might find reasons to
restrict election campaigning in 1997.

"Is it possible that Golkar is campaigning now because it
knows that the 1997 campaigns will be restricted?" he said.

Soenarjo reminded Yogie of the 1992 consensus in which the
government agreed to involve the political parties in the
entirety of the 1997 general election process.

As the sole sponsor of elections, the government controls the
polling process. (pan)