Youth groups support press ban

JAKARTA (JP): Two youth organizations yesterday came out in support of the government's ban against Tempo, Editor and DeTIK news magazines.

The first one, calling themselves the Youth Forum for the Defense of the Pancasila Press (FPPP), deployed 20 men to the Ministry of Information office, a target of repeated protests against the ban on Wednesday and Thursday, but a clash was avoided as there was no protest.

The second group, the Panca Marga Youth, threatened to send members to the streets to counter any demonstration.

Five men from the FPPP delegation, led by Andi Muhamad AB were received by the Director General of Press and Graphics Subrata at the Ministry of Information yesterday.

They presented a petition supporting the government's decision to revoke the publishing licenses of the three magazines and urged the government to be strict against members of the press who violate the free and responsible press concept.

Panca Marga Youth meanwhile in a statement signed by chairman Djoko Purwongemboro and deputy secretary general Faisal Saleh last night also came out in support of the government's bans.

The group expressed "its deep concern at the misinterpretation of freedom by some members of the press ... resulting in government and public losing their confidence about the ability of the press to use its freedom in a positive manner."

It appealed to all parties involved in the dispute to exercise restraint and warned those who are not directly affected to stay out of the conflict.

"Anyone who tries to take advantage of the situation to stir problems that disrupt stability, security, order and public interest will have to deal with the Panca Marga Youth forces." (emb/11)