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

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)