Unpaid bill leaves 'RRI' in the dark

Unpaid bill leaves 'RRI' in the dark

PADANG, West Sumatra: State-owned radio station RRI's Muda Padang branch has had to resort to a diesel-powered generator since state-owned electricity company PT PLN cut off electricity to the station.

The generator is normally used in emergencies, such as when there is a blackout in the town.

"We were forced to use the generator so RRI could stay on the air," the station's chief, Yuli Darna, told Antara news agency.

However, the station must halt its broadcasts when the generator is in need of maintenance, as occurred on Tuesday.

PLN cut off the electricity because the radio station has not paid its Rp 39 million (US$4,400) bill.

Yuli said the electricity bill was normally paid by RRI's central office in Jakarta. --Antara