PWI raises funds for congress

PWI raises funds for congress

Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Organizers of the 21st Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI)
congress have been traveling around Central Kalimantan asking for
donations from regental administrations across the province.

The chairman of the congress' organizing committee, M.
Wahyudie, told Antara on Friday that the regional administration
of Murung Raya, South Barito and Pulang Pisau had donated a total
of Rp 55 million (US$6,193) to organizers.

Wahyudie, who is the chief editor of Kalteng Pos, said the
contributions were obtained during a recent visit to six
regencies in the northern part of the province.

During the visit, North Barito Regent Badaruddin promised to
provide Rp 15 million for the annual congress. His counterpart in
Kapuas, Burhanuddin Ali, also promised financial aid, but did not
disclose the amount, while the East Barito administration did not
respond to the organizing committee's request.

Wahyudie said the organizing committee would travel south to
West Kotawaringin, Lamandau, Sukamara, East Kotawaringin, Seruyan
and Katingan regencies for the same purpose early in May.

The congress will be held in the provincial capital of
Palangkaraya in October and is scheduled to be opened by
President Megawati Soekarnoputri. Some 300 PWI members
representing 33 provincial chapters will be invited to the event.

PWI expects to review its statute and elect the chairperson
for the 2003/2008 period during the congress.

Wahyudie said the congress would cost Rp 450 million, with Rp
300 million of the budget to be covered by the provincial budget.

During the New Order era, PWI was the only government-
sanctioned, and therefore government-controlled, press
association. Since the fall of the regime in 1998, the number of
press associations has risen to 30, although only a few of them
are well organized.

Although it is no longer sanctioned by the government, PWI
remains a preferred press organization.