Wahid's son-in-law submits complaint

YOGYAKARTA: The local chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI Yogyakarta) told a media conference here on Friday that Erman Royadi, the husband of Alissa Qotrunnada Munnawaroh, the first daughter of President Abdurrahman Wahid, was one of nine persons and institutions who complained about media reports last month.

Kari Triaji, a staff member at AJI Yogyakarta's advocacy division, said Erman came to his office last month to complain about many media reports, which he (Erman) claimed caused distrust among kyais (Muslim preachers) in the 35-million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and encouraged suspicion in the presidential palace. The NU is the largest Muslim organization, and was chaired by Abdurrahman Wahid for 15 years before he was elected President.

"Erman said that many members of the media had quoted statements from vague sources, causing suspicion among the President's aides (in the palace)," said Kari at the media conference held here at Ambarrukmo Palace Hotel.

The practice of attributing statements to vague sources such as in "according to a source at the presidential palace" or "according to a source at the NU Central Executive Board" has been disturbing, Kari quoted Erman as saying.

AJI Yogyakarta established a complaint post on June 11, 2001, in a bid to accommodate people's grievances over certain media reports. The policy was also meant to evoke people's awareness that taking legal steps was more suitable than mass action in reacting to particular news reports.

The first stage of the complaint-period was closed on July 11. (23)