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)