'SCTV' finally airing debate on PDI conflict

SURABAYA (JP): After two weeks of uncertainty, Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) will tonight finally air the controversial debate on the leadership crisis in the provincial chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

The debate features Sutjipto and Latief Pudjosakti, who each claim to be the legitimate party branch chief, and Ramlan Surbakti, a political scientist from Surabaya's Airlangga University.

"We have decided to air the debate tonight," SCTV spokesperson Dini S. Rahim told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

The airing of the 30-minute debate, to be broadcast from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., has been in limbo since its recording on March 29 in Jakarta due to the government's intervention.

Sources said some key provincial government officials are unhappy with the debate, in which one party in the conflict criticizes the local administration's stand on the crisis.

A senior provincial government official reportedly took a copy of the tape away to inspect it while the Ministry of Information also wanted to censor it before broadcasting.

But Director General for Radio, Television and Film Dewabrata last week denied reports that the ministry had forbidden the private TV station to air the debate.

Latief, who has East Java governor Basofi Sudirman's tacit support, threatened to mobilize his supporters to demonstrate at SCTV if it didn't broadcast the debate.

The threat prompted the local government to deploy dozens of police officers and troops to guard the TV station's premises for two days last week.

"If SCTV keeps suspending the broadcast, that would mean the station disrespects me," he said yesterday after holding a closed meeting with his supporters.

His arch rival, Sutjipto -- who has PDI chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri's strong support -- also demanded an airing. "If it is not aired, it would represent an offense against the PDI as a whole."

Meanwhile Basofi denied he had interfered in the tape controversy. "How can people say I meddled when I have not even seen the tape?" he said.

Reliable sources have said that SCTV officials were divided after the authorities warned them to be "careful". (15/01/pan)