Megawati told to talk more to the press

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia's National Press Day on Friday offered President Megawati Soekarnoputri an occasion to both criticize the media, and to learn how to deal with it.

A former presidential spokesman suggested that Megawati improve her relationship with the press in order to allow the public better access to information.

"As a state official, Megawati is supposed to respond -- as well as answer -- questions from the public, as people have the right to understand government policies," said Wimar Witoelar, spokesman for former president Abdurrahman Wahid, said.

The fact that Megawati has a tendency to stay silent when she is supposed to speak has prompted some to speculate about she is thinking -- thus effectively curtailing press freedom, said Wimar, by limiting access to information.

"No government programs -- including those meant to combat corruption, uphold the law, or curb human rights violations -- have yet been successful during this era of reform," he said.

"Upholding press freedom is the only chance left for the government to achieve a success," Wimar said.

Megawati once revealed her uneasiness with the way the media exercised its freedom regarding Vice President Hamzah Haz.

During National Press Day celebrations, Megawati urged members of the media to promote solutions for the issues that they criticized.

Since taking office last year, both the national and international press which covered Megawati's activities have been subjected to constant restrictions -- from dress code requirements to mandatory technical guidelines when interviewing her.

Megawati has also allowed her secretary, Kemal Munawar, to issue a new regulation regarding the press. Its 14-point rules ban journalists from door-stop interviews with either the president or the vice president.

Any violation of these regulations results in strong reaction from the Presidential Press Bureau, including revocation of a press identity card or a ban from the Presidential Palace.

Commenting on Megawati's treatment to the press, veteran journalist Atmakusumah Astraatmadja suggested that the President at least promote hospitality while keeping a physical distance with the press.

He noted that Sukarno, the country's first president, and Megawati's father, used to invite journalists, regardless of their reportage on his rule, to morning coffee at the palace to build good relations.

"Megawati is a very inspiring figure, as she is the first Indonesian woman to become the President. Even worldwide, there are very few women who lead their countries.

"Should Megawati be reluctant to talk about complicated matters, she can talk instead about non-political things with the press," Atmakusumah said.