Harmoko faces second lawsuit over `Tempo'

JAKARTA (JP): In the latest move to protest the government's closure of Tempo news weekly, 50 employees of the defunct magazine have filed a lawsuit against Minister of Information Harmoko, who revoked its publishing license in June.

This is the second suit filed against the minister in connection with the demise of Tempo. The first was filed by the weekly's former chief editor Goenawan Mohamad on Sept.7.

Chief of the Jakarta Administrative Court Benjamin Mangkoedilaga told journalists at his office yesterday that the court would examine both lawsuits at the same time because the material is the same and the plaintiffs of both lawsuits are represented by the same lawyers.

The court will make a preliminary examination of the case on Oct.7 to determine whether or not the plaintiffs have a valid basis for their lawsuits.

They are the first lawsuits in the country's history filed against the government in connection with the revocation of publishing licenses.

The government revoked Tempo's publishing license because of certain aspects of its editorial content, although it was never categorically stated which articles were deemed offensive. Editor and DeTik lost their publishing licenses at the same time in June for administrative reasons.

Minister of Information Harmoko has welcomed the challenge, stressing that he too wants to settle this matter legally.

The revocation of the three magazines sparked a series of demonstrations, which subsequently died down after the authorities warned that they would take stern measures against illegal street protests.

A number of former Tempo journalists are currently planning to start a new magazine which they will call Opini. A company owned by timber tycoon Bob Hasan has also offered former Tempo employees the chance to start a magazine called Masa.

Both groups have apparently applied to the Ministry of Information for a publishing license. (sim)