Sutjipto and Latief lock horns on SCTV

JAKARTA (JP): The much-awaited television debate on the leadership crisis in the provincial chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), which some earlier reports said had been banned by the authorities, finally went on air last night with minor omissions.

"In the debate I said that even if the government held a thousand meetings, this crisis won't be solved unless the government has the political will to solve it," according to Sutjipto, one of the principal figures in the debate. "This was omitted from the show."

"I also said that a political party doesn't have to ask the government for approval when it establishes a new executive board. This was also omitted," he said.

Latief Pudjosakti, another principal figure in the debate, could not be reached for comments about the delayed airing of the show.

Surabaya-based Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) broadcast the debate between Sutjipto and Latief Pudjosakti, who both claim to be the legitimate party branch chief. The show was moderated by journalist Eddi Elison and also featured Ramlan Surbakti, a political scientist from Airlangga University in Surabaya.

The airing of the debate had been in limbo since its recording on March 29 in Jakarta -- reportedly due to the government's intervention. Sources said some key provincial government officials were unhappy with this critical open debate.

The Ministry of Information denied that it had stopped the private TV station airing the debate.

In the debate last night, the rival speakers eventually agreed that the party should resolve the rift itself, free from the meddling of outsiders.

"The dispute should be resolved internally, among PDI members only," Sutjipto said. Ramlan seconded his opinion.

"This dispute is not the problem of the East Java governor, or chief of the provincial military command, nor the Ministry of Home Affairs," Latief said. "It's an internal rift."

Sutjipto, who has PDI chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri's support, reiterated his stance that only a party congress has the authority to determine new chapter chairmanship.

"This dispute will last as long as the government sticks to the existing regulations," he said.

Latief, who reportedly enjoys the support of the provincial administration, said the rift would already have been resolved had the party handled it in accordance with the existing laws on social/political organizations, and with the party's statutes.

SCTV has frequently produced programs featuring outspoken guests. The popular talk show Perspektif was banned last September, a few days after it featured senior journalist Mochtar Lubis. Lubis is known for his critical stance.

The station had earlier, for unspecified reasons, dropped some episodes which featured Benjamin Mangkoedilaga, a judge who decided in favor of the banned Tempo magazine in its lawsuit against the government, and Abdurrahman Wahid, the enigmatic leader of the 30-million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama Moslem organization.

The television station also canceled three taped interviews with Irawan Abidin, former director of information at the Foreign Affairs Ministry and current ambassador to Greece; human rights campaigner Nursyahbani Katjasungkana; and economist Alexander Irwan. (imn/15)