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)