Harmoko appeals to Supreme Court over 'Tempo'
Harmoko appeals to Supreme Court over 'Tempo'
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko, whose decision to close Tempo news magazine was recently overruled by the Jakarta High Administrative Court, announced yesterday that he had filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, his last and only legal recourse.
"It is our obligation as good citizens to use our legal options to get to the final decision," Harmoko said during a hearing with a commission of the House of Representatives.
"The government has filed its appeal to the Supreme Court through Attorney General Singgih as our lawyer," he told the hearing with Commission I for information, foreign affairs and defense. The hearing was chaired by Ali Rasjidi, the commission's vice-chairman of the Golkar faction.
Harmoko added that he had decided to file the appeal on the advise of Singgih.
The administrative high court last month upheld the Jakarta Administrative Court's ruling that found Harmoko's decision to revoke the publishing license of Tempo unconstitutional.
Tempo lost its license in June 1994 because of its editorial content which the government said caused national instability. The magazine's chief editor and a group of employees later filed a lawsuit with the administrative court and won the case last May. Harmoko appealed to the high court and lost.
The minister, however, has refused to abide by the court ruling ordering him to return Tempo's license.
Harmoko, who is also the chairman of the dominant political group Golkar, came under attack yesterday from legislators of the minority parties the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) over his legal battle with Tempo.
Sophan Sophiaan of the PDI faction said the government should be "realistic" and accept the high court's decision.
Ircham Abdurrochim of the PPP faction also told Harmoko not to pursue the case any further.
"There is no need to file an appeal. Stop the case here and now," he said. "It is clear that the legal base for revoking the license is subordinated by the Press Law."
At yesterday's meeting, the House members also questioned Harmoko about the government's plan to participate in the construction of a US$400 million tower in Jakarta, saying that the fund should be used to improve the welfare of people.
Harmoko defended the plan, saying that the 500-meter Menara Jakarta will also be used by all TV and radio broadcasting stations, ensuring better reception for people in the capital.
"We need a higher tower to increase the frequency of all television and radio stations, but we do not have money," he said.
Three leading businessmen Sudwikatmono, Prayogo Pangestu and Henry Pribadi have formed a consortium called PT Indocitra Graha Bawana which will build the tower. The government has agreed to take part in the project although it has not been disclosed how much equity it is acquiring. (01)