RI firm to broadcast with Mindanao govt

JAKARTA (JP): The government of the Autonomous Region in Moslem Mindanao, southern Philippines, and Indonesia's PT Ariobimo Ekakarma signed a cooperation agreement here yesterday to develop local and transnational television broadcasting services.

The agreement was signed by Abdurahman U.Amin, the adviser to the regional governor of Mindanao and Ariobimo's president Sharif Cicip Sutardjo (far left).

Nur Misuari (second from left), the Regional Governor of Mindanao, and Aburizal Bakrie (second from right), chairman of the Bakrie Brothers Group, also signed the agreement as witnesses.

Under the agreement, Ariobimo Ekakarma and the Mindanao government will pool resources for the development of local TV broadcasting services and transnational TV broadcasts in the southern Philippines.

Ariobimo Ekakarma is a joint venture between the Ariobimo group and PT Multi Eka Karma, the investment holding company founded and owned by the General Sudirman Foundation.

The foundation was set up in December 1989 by the minister of defense and security and the Armed Forces commander with the mission to help improve the social welfare of Armed Forces personnel.

Ariobimo Ekakarma is now preparing the establishment of an ASEAN TV Broadcasting Service to relay programs to the seven ASEAN countries-- Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

"We want to become a major player as a transnational TV broadcasting service," Sharif noted at the signing ceremony.

He said that the television broadcasting center in Mindanao, which would use Satelindo's Palapa C2 satellite, would be developed into a regional television station serving all ASEAN members.

Ariobimo would also develop a coconut oil refinery on the island, with total investment of around US$30 million.

The refinery is expected to produce between 600 tons and 700 tons per day, he said. (vin)