Ritonga expresses concern over news reports
Ritonga expresses concern over news reports
JAKARTA (JP): City Council Speaker M.H. Ritonga expressed
great concern yesterday over the way city media reported
the council's extraordinary plenary session commemorating
Jakarta's 470th anniversary last month.
He told a press conference that news reports, which exposed
his personal affairs, defamed him.
"Even if a mountain of gold was given to me, it would not
restore my name and my family's dignity," Ritonga said.
He referred to news reports, particularly Sinar Pagi and
Republika, about a walk-out by 11 of 13 members of the Indonesian
Democratic Party (PDI) ahead of the extraordinary plenary session
on June 22.
Ismunandar, PDI's advisor and a council deputy, said after the
session, the spontaneous action by members was conducted
purely in solidarity for a PDI member who was barred from
attending the meeting.
Other members, he said, refused to attend the meeting because
they did not agree with the barring of Sri Umi Sutjipto, better
known as Maya, from joining the meeting. A protocol official,
reportedly by the request of the council speaker's wife,
prevented Maya from attending the meeting.
"We can't accept this action. Maya had the right to be at the
meeting," Ismunandar said.
Reports on the walk-out became the headline story of Sinar
Pagi on June 23. It was also run by Republika.
However, the speaker's wife, Mrs. S. Renyda Ritonga, denied
that she had made the request.
The council speaker deeply deplored the reports because,
according to him, they neglected his personal rights.
"In reporting, you should honor one's personal rights. Don't
you realize that the news interfered with my privacy?" Ritonga
said.
"I always spend time with you (journalists), but I have the
impression that my kindness does not mean anything to you. You
easily write stories and publish them without checking whether
they're true or not, just for your own interests," he said.
Good journalists, he said, should avoid making news which
belittled someone's name.
Ritonga said that he had consulted the chairman of the
Indonesian Journalists Association, Sofjan Lubis, who had
promised him all the help he needed.
"My next step will depend on upcoming developments and will be
based on a thorough evaluation. I hope this is clear enough,"
Ritonga said, without giving further explanation.
Yesterday, Ritonga received a medal of appreciation from the
Indonesian Veterans' Legion for his extraordinary contributions.
The award, which was given by the legion's secretary-general,
Maj. Gen. (ret.) Edi Muhammad Achir, was also given for his idea
and approval of the development of the legion's building on Jl.
Ratu Inten, East Jakarta. (ste)