Guess What? Meuthia Kasim

Guess What? Meuthia Kasim

Who is a public relations officer's best friend?

"Journalists," according to Meuthia Kasim, PR manager of Jakarta's Hard Rock Cafe.

But she recently had a sad experience with her 'best friends' when a number of music journalists 'boycotted' all music events at the cafe because of a misunderstanding between the cafe staff and journalists.

"I realized that the solidarity among them is very strong," the tiny young woman said during a Valentine's Day party at the cafe.

Sometime last year, a music reporter was prevented from entering the cafe, which was packed with visitors and journalists eager to watch a music performance. Knowing that one of their friend had been badly treated, most of his fellow reporters decided not to cover the event.

"We did not intend (to bar the journalist's entry). But at the time the cafe was already so over-crowded that we had to reject all new visitors," added Meuthia, formerly known as a radio broadcaster.

But, it seems that Meuthia has won back the hearts of her 'best friends.' Dozens of local journalists surrounded her during the Valentine's Day party. "A PR officer has to know how to deal with people," Meuthia smiled. (msa)