Journalists irked by tardy texts

JAKARTA (JP): The much-criticized bureaucratic protocol in the past is still very much alive, at least according to journalists.

Members of the media upset by the fact that until Monday afternoon palace officials were still unable to provide copies of President B.J. Habibie's speech in his own defense, one day after the event took place.

It was the second time that the journalists were angered by the late distribution of copies of presidential speech. They were similarly put out when Habibie addressed the Assembly last Thursday.

"You can say whatever you want about former president Soeharto, but at least he always gave us the copy of his speech prior to his address," a journalist scolded a confused palace media officer.

Copies of the speech were only available to Assembly members on Monday evening. In the absence of the copies, the Assembly members were forced to concentrate hard on the President's speech earlier in that day.

"By not delivering the speech material to the legislators, the President apparently wanted all legislators to listen to him," said the official. (prb)