`Kalam' publication goes on despite ban of patron

JAKARTA (JP): The financially troubled Kalam, one of Indonesia's only two literature magazines, is determined to continue publication despite the closure of its patron, Tempo magazine, in June.

The third edition of Kalam hit the street yesterday with the cover story on nationalism, featuring articles written by prominent intellectuals like Ariel Heryanto, Arief Budiman, Onghokham and Azyumardi Azra.

It also runs poems by Soebagio Sastrowardoyo, Ook Nugroho, Zawawi Imron and Nyoman Wirata.

"Now that Tempo is closed down, Kalam is trying to mobilize its own financial resources," chief editor Nirwan Dewanto said in a press statement.

Kalam is one of Indonesia's two literary magazines. The other is Horison, which also has had financial trouble. Kalam was founded by senior editors of Horison who quit after an internal rift.

Nirwan called for financial assistance from the public to survive.

"Kalam will not die even if money is hard to come by. Isn't the development of our art and science also forever beset by financial troubles?" he said.

He said the magazine would survive if artists, intellectuals, students and all its readers continue their support.(pan)