There is a print media conspiracy to unseat Gus Dur, alleges PKB

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Deputy secretary general of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Chotibul Umam Wiranu claimed on Wednesday that there is a print media conspiracy to unseat President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Speaking to party officials and the Banyumas branch of Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) here on Wednesday, he said that 60 percent of publications in the country conspired with political forces to oust Gus Dur (as the President is called).

"The remaining 40 percent is divided into two groups. The first 20 percent is neutral and the other 20 percent is for Gus Dur," Chotibul said.

Gus Dur, who has chaired NU for 15 years, is also a founder of the PKB.

The political forces cooperating with the media are both inside and outside the legislature. "It is the outside force which has spread terror in several places in the country."

"In the near future two electronic media will appear to join the anti-government strength," he told The Jakarta Post.

"It's understandable that media reports have tended to corner Gus Dur and influence public opinion as if the administration is messy and unable to give hope to the people," he said, adding that the short-term target of the media was the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) special session for impeachment.

"We have anticipated the worst thing. We know that the conspiracy will also block Gus Dur in the 2004 general elections," he said. (45/sur)