Sutiyoso, press not on speaking terms

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso, who used to enjoy meeting with reporters, has apparently changed his attitude toward the press over the past two weeks.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

Last week, reporters assigned to City Hall were prevented from covering the governor's visit to North Jakarta by Sutiyoso's subordinates.

"It's closed to reporters," one of the subordinates said.

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.

He now receives guests in his private office to avoid the press. (ind)