Harmoko said ready to see `Tempo' in court

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)