TV companies fail to pay frequency charge

JAKARTA (JP): Director General of Post and Telecommunications Djakaria Purawidjaja said that four private television stations, TPI, RCTI, SCTV and ANteve had failed to pay frequency utilization rights bills totaling Rp 9.54 billion (about US$2.2 million) between 1993 and 1996.

There are six television broadcasters in Indonesia, including the state-owned TVRI and the privately owned TPI, RCTI, SCTV, Indosiar and ANteve

"TVRI and Indosiar have paid up their billing charges," Djakaria told reporters here yesterday.

He said the detailed debts of the four television stations were Rp 1.05 billion (owed by TPI), Rp 3.1 billion (RCTI), Rp 4.47 billion (SCTV) and Rp 915.57 million (ANteve).

"I've sent notification letters to the stations. I don't understand what their problems were as even TVRI which is not allowed to air advertisements is able to pay its bill on time," he said.

Some of the stations admitted they did not have any cash and called on the government to reduce the frequency utilization rate of Rp 50 million per transmitter, he added.

"But it's not possible to cut the rate unless we change the ministerial decree stipulating the rate. So, before we amend the regulation, they (the four stations) have to pay the bills," Djakaria said.

He indicated that the Ministry of Finance would cut the budget of the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications if the latter office failed to get the payments.

"The amount of this cut may amount to as much as the total debts," he said.

To avoid the punishment, his office had sent warning letters to the four television stations with copies to the Ministry of Finance, he said.

The government originally targeted to collect Rp 117.17 billion from telecommunications and radio frequency utilization rights charges in the ongoing fiscal year.

Total collection from radio frequency utilization alone was targeted to reach Rp 60 billion. As of Dec. 5 the amount reached Rp 55.8 billion.

Djakaria refused to disclose whether his office would impose penalties on the stations which fell behind in paying the frequency utilization rights bills.

Such an action, however, could be an option, he added. (icn)