Harmoko said ready to see `Tempo' in court

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko is prepared to meet with the proprietor of Tempo magazine in court over his decision to revoke the weekly's publishing license, his spokesman said yesterday.

Indrawadi Tamin, the director of public relations development at the Ministry of Information, also gave his assurances the court case would in no way affect the government's decision in processing the application for a new license by former employees and journalists of Tempo.

Goenawan Mohamad, the former editor and director of the defunct magazine, filed a lawsuit against Harmoko at the Jakarta State Administrative Court on Wednesday, calling for a review of the revocation of the license and permission for Tempo to resume publication. Goenawan is supported by eight prominent lawyers.

On Tuesday, former Tempo journalists applied for a publishing license for a new magazine called Opini with the Ministry of Information.

"Sure they can take Harmoko to court. We're prepared to deal with it," Indrawadi was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying yesterday in response to news of Goenawan's move.

He recalled that even the minister himself had suggested Tempo's proprietors to take their case to the state administrative court if they are not happy with his action.

"Through the court, we will find out who is right and wrong," he said.

The Ministry of Information revoked Tempo's license in June saying that the magazine has failed to heed repeated warnings from the government about its editorial contents. (emb)