Sutjipto and Latief lock horns on SCTV

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)