Radio station critical of govt gets closed down

M. Aziz Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

The Southeast Maluku regency administration has ordered the closure of a radio station that often aired stories criticizing the local authorities.

According to the order, Gelora Tavlul radio must stop broadcasting because its business permit expired in 2003.

The order was issued on Dec. 13, or about a month after the local administration rejected the radio management's request for an extension of their business permit.

Backed by a number of local police officers, the so-called Maluku Frequency Monitoring Team visited the radio station on Thursday to execute the order, telling the station to close.

They said that the stories aired by the station had criticized the administration's development and public service policies "too often".

Joost F. Rettobjaan, the radio station's director, said that the station was unable to extend the permit after it expired as the local administration was virtually not functioning amid security disturbances of the time.

"(But now) instead of approving our business permit, the administration has told us to stop broadcasting. The business permit has nothing to do with the broadcasting permit, so what is it all about?" he asked.

The radio director suspected that the administration was banning the station from broadcasting because of news stories involving alleged misuse of regional budget funds.

"We will not back down despite the order. We will stay on air," Joost said.

Gelora Tavlul Radio, which is affiliated with the Jakarta- based 68h radio network, has no hidden political motive behind the airing of news stories about corruption, he said.

"Media criticism is now nothing new (in this country). Why do officials feel threatened?" Joost said.

Herman Adrian Koedoeboen, the regent of the Southeast Maluku administration, could not be immediately reached for comment.

In Jakarta, Minister of Communications and Information Sofyan Djalil said that the regional administration could not close broadcasting stations without approval from the regional-arm of the Indonesia Broadcasting Commission (KPI).

"Regional autonomy allows the local administration to demand the closure of broadcast media, but they must get approval from the local office of KPI," he said after attending a ceremony at the Vice Presidential Palace.

KPI Maluku chapter head Fredy Melmambessy has said that the order to close the radio station was illegal

"According to Law No. 32/2003 concerning broadcasting, it is the KPI who decides on closing radio stations. They should tell the KPI if they consider that the station has violated regulations. It is only the KPI that is authorized to impose sanctions," he said.

The KPI Maluku-chapter has ruled that the Gelora Tavlul radio station can continue its broadcasting despite the order.