Megawati sends House 27 candidates for KPI

Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri finally sent in the names of 27 candidates to sit on the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), giving the House of Representatives (DPR) less than six weeks to select the nine most qualified.

Some of the candidates are figures who were previously known to oppose the broadcasting law, Law No. 31/2002.

The Law gives both the government and the House until Dec. 28 to form the KPI, whose duties will include formulating a code of conduct among broadcasting corporations, controlling its implementation and handing down punishment to offenders.

Legislator Djoko Susilo of the Reform faction said on Monday that he would ask fellow lawmakers to disqualify people who rejected the endorsement of the broadcasting law.

"We have questions about their integrity," he said.

Fellow legislator Soeharsojo of Golkar said the limited time available for the selection would mean the House may have less time to enjoy the upcoming religious holidays.

Given its tight schedule, the legislators would have to carry out the examinations right after Idul Fitri holidays scheduled for Nov. 25 and Nov. 26, he added. Most people in the country traditionally take about one week off to celebrate with their families.

Law No. 31/2002 stipulates that for the first time that KPI will be set up jointly by the government and the House. It also says that the KPI must be operational within a year after the enactment of the broadcasting law, which was on Dec. 28 last year.

The broadcasting law caused quite a bit of controversy during the deliberations last year, which is apparently why President Megawati took so long to endorse the law. However, according to the amended Constitution, a law automatically takes effect within 30 days after House's approval, if the President does not endorse it.

A number of organizations including the Association of Indonesian Television Journalists (IJTI) have urged the recently established Constitutional Court to review the law, which the journalists say allows KPI to intervene in editorial matters of private stations.

Separately, deputy House speaker Tosari Widjaja asked the legislators to be patient in selecting the KPI members to avoid mistakes.

"The House members must concentrate on selecting qualified people," he added.

Candidates for KPI -------------------------------------------------------------

Name Background ------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Bimo Nugroho ISAI/NGO 2. Mochamad Sukarna LaTivi, general manager 3. Mahayoni Teacher with television experience 4. Wahyu S Hadiardoyo Radio Muslim, general manager 5. Dedi Iskandar Muda - 6. Henri Subiakto - 7. Amelia Hezkasari Freelance writer 8. Sinansari Ecip Lecturer at UI/UNHAS 9. Ade Armando Lecturer at UI 10. Anton A Nangoy ATVSI 11. Wolly Baktiono Radio El Victor, Surabaya 12. Arif Juanto Telkom, Bimantara 13. Syaefurrochman Achmad ANTeve, journalist 14. Soeastomo Soepardji Bina Sejahtera, employee 15. Dwi Roesdyanto TPI, television 16. Rachmad Wijiyanto Broadcasting consultant 17. Antonius Darmanto RRI, radio 18. Sasa Djuarsa Sendjaja Lecturer at UI 19. Hari Wiryawan UNDP 20. Ilya R Sunarwinadi Lecturer at UI 21. Aang Ruswandi Lecturer at UI 22. Victor Menayang Lecturer at UI 23. Ichsanuddin Noorsy Former legislator, Golkar 24. Munawir Rifadhi Radio Innovator, commissioner 25. Andrik Purwasito Lecturer at UNS, Surakarta 26. Reni Winata Lecturer at UI 27. Tjipta Lesmana Lecturer, member of Constitutional

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