Perspektif

I read Wimar Witoelar's letter which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 9, 1995 entitled Perspektif banning. On the same day I read in Kompas that there will be a new program called Perspektif Life. I am very happy to read the article, because it gives (a select group of) people the opportunity to think critically, and to become involved citizens.

As a response to Witoelar's letter in The Jakarta Post, I have the following comments.

Usually I do not write or respond to newspaper articles. I have lived in Europe and the U.S. the past 21 years. I came back to Indonesia only eight months ago, and by chance I watched your program when you interviewed Mr. Emil Salim. I remember one question you had for him was: Apakah ada keterbukaan dalam media sekarang? (Is there any openness in the media now?). His answer was: Buktinya sekarang ada program Perspektif yang tidak mungkin beberapa tahun yang lalu (Why, the Perspektif program is clear evidence of its existence, which was not possible several years ago). To my regret, someone has pulled the plug on you.

I watched Larry King on CNN almost everyday when I was in the States. His program could be controversial sometimes, but it was never a "bid deal" to me. America is such a democratic country that nothing is shocking anymore. I watched your program only twice, and both times it made a great impact on me. Your program should be called Different Perspective because you try to expose what is not openly discussed in public.

Unlike Larry King's programs in the USA, it seems that the general public in Indonesia is not ready for such a blatant and straight-forward approach. The way your program was taken off air reminds me of an expert surgeon performing an amputation: swift and relatively painless. All of a sudden you notice that your legs are missing. Somebody "up-there" feels threatened, and that person knows how to pull the strings.

With Perspektif Life you have a more select and educated audience. Hopefully you can continue to be yourself, and have interesting sessions. After the general election in 1997, I think you will have a better feel whether or not you can re-start Perspektif on The Air.

PIUS FIRMAN

Jakarta