Sutiyoso, press not on speaking terms
<p>Sutiyoso, press not on speaking terms</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso, who used to enjoy meeting
with reporters, has apparently changed his attitude toward the
press over the past two weeks.</p><p>Print and broadcast journalists, including those assigned to
City Hall, have been prevented from covering the governor's
activities in the capital over the past two weeks.</p><p>A number of reporters seeking the governor's comments on
certain issues have also failed to meet with Sutiyoso after
waiting in front of his office for hours.</p><p>A reliable source in the city administration said on Tuesday
Sutiyoso was upset by recent media reports on city-owned Bank DKI
president Maman Soelasman, who was named a suspect in a Rp 2
billion corruption scam.</p><p>"His disappointment was heightened when most of the dailies
reported last week that Pak Sutiyoso distributed Rp 5 million to
each of 48 political party representatives on the Jakarta
Provincial Elections Committee to help speed up the (repeatedly
delayed) vote count in the city," the source said.</p><p>Last week, reporters assigned to City Hall were prevented from
covering the governor's visit to North Jakarta by Sutiyoso's
subordinates.</p><p>"It's closed to reporters," one of the subordinates said.</p><p>Sutiyoso also reportedly avoids leaving his office in City
Hall, which is equipped with closed-circuit television cameras
which allow the governor to view the guest room where reporters
often wait for him.</p><p>He now receives guests in his private office to avoid the
press. (ind)</p>
with reporters, has apparently changed his attitude toward the
press over the past two weeks.</p><p>Print and broadcast journalists, including those assigned to
City Hall, have been prevented from covering the governor's
activities in the capital over the past two weeks.</p><p>A number of reporters seeking the governor's comments on
certain issues have also failed to meet with Sutiyoso after
waiting in front of his office for hours.</p><p>A reliable source in the city administration said on Tuesday
Sutiyoso was upset by recent media reports on city-owned Bank DKI
president Maman Soelasman, who was named a suspect in a Rp 2
billion corruption scam.</p><p>"His disappointment was heightened when most of the dailies
reported last week that Pak Sutiyoso distributed Rp 5 million to
each of 48 political party representatives on the Jakarta
Provincial Elections Committee to help speed up the (repeatedly
delayed) vote count in the city," the source said.</p><p>Last week, reporters assigned to City Hall were prevented from
covering the governor's visit to North Jakarta by Sutiyoso's
subordinates.</p><p>"It's closed to reporters," one of the subordinates said.</p><p>Sutiyoso also reportedly avoids leaving his office in City
Hall, which is equipped with closed-circuit television cameras
which allow the governor to view the guest room where reporters
often wait for him.</p><p>He now receives guests in his private office to avoid the
press. (ind)</p>