Surabaya mayor threatens reporters

I am writing in reference to the report published in The Jakarta Post, Sept. 28, 1995, concerning Surabaya Mayor Sunarto Sumoprawiro's statement that reporters' houses would be moved to make room for a regreening project if they wrote bad reports about East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman.

It is improper for a mayor to make such a statement. I agree with Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono's opinion concerning the matter.

A journalist is entitled to be critical of what an official has done wrong. The criticized official should accept the criticism with an open heart, instead of using his power to threaten or suppress the criticizer. The latter is quite contrary to the values of the nation. It is necessary for people in power to do away with the tendency to adopt a adigang adigung adiguna attitude. Adigang is like a deer which relies on its capacity to run fast, adigung is like an elephant which is proud of its large body, and adiguna is like a serpent which proudly relies on its poisonous fangs.

After 50 years of independence, we should open our hearts to criticism and social control.

SUDASI

Tangerang