'SCTV' finally airing debate on PDI conflict
'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)