Rift widens in art council dispute

JAKARTA: The Jakarta Art Council (DKJ) is divided over a conflict raging on between its senior and younger artists.

The dispute boiled over on Monday when former city governor Ali Sadikin rejected the newly elected Council board, led by ballad singer Franky Sahilatua, who represents the younger artists.

"It's a coup aimed at (the older members of) DKJ. It violates (electoral) procedures," the 74-year-old Ali said at a hearing with the City Council Commission E for social welfare.

Accompanied by writer Ramadhan K.H. and theater artist Ratna Riantiarno, Ali said DKJ's board should, according to procedures, be elected by the Jakarta Academy, whose members include Ramadhan, Taufik Abdullah and Muchtar Lubis.

In July of this year, hundreds of Jakarta artists held a congress at Taman Ismail Marzuki Art Center and appointed the new members on the board. Franky, who is in charge of coordinating art programs at the center, led the vote.--JP