Friday, 13 June 1997
Watch Out For A Reoccurrence Of A SIUPP Cancellation
Jakarta, Kompas Online
The Minister of Information (Menpen) Hartono invited national press people to make together efforts that no SIUPP (Enterprising Licence
for Press Publications) will be sanctioned with cancellation or more popularly called shutting down of the press. This joint effort must also be
directed to the target which makes the aspirations of the press society in form of a legal process against perpetrators in an individual way
instead of a SIUPP cancellation.
"I think that we agree that the cancellation of the SIUPP can only happen in a situation which meets the preconditions for the cancellation of
the SIUPP itself. What is left is how we make joint efforts, including myself as minister, in order that no printing media will be exposed to it
anymore," Hartono said answering questions from reporters after the transfer of the function of Menpan from Harmoko to him at the
Anantakupa IV Room, Department of Information, Jakarta, Thursday (12/6).
To Hartono was said that the wish of the wide press society is the removal of SIUPP cancellation actions. This means that the government
must freeze or even censor the Decision of the Minister of Information No 1/1984.
Hartono asked back. "Now I will ask. Personally I want to know, how is your opinion towards the printing media which perform acts
beyond the limits?" he asked.
"Take action against the reporter, not to the media," a journalist said.
"That is it. It goes in that direction, it remains there," said Hartono. He added that the last stipulation which is already directed to be refused
by the society, must be put in order. "But to arrive there, let us make efforts together," he said.
Therefore also Hartono said to be open to receive all kinds of imput, whether by letter addressed to him or through a communication forum.
Asked what steps he will take immediately after the transfer of office, Hartono said he would study all the problems. But what is certain, he
said, is that his steps must be more advanced than the steps of the official he replaced.
About the main problem faced by the world, Hartono saw the problem of professionalism. "We expect that each writing in the mass media
or the printing media has an ever better quality conform the demands of time," he said.
"In our lives there is nothing that can be said that all is just proceeding smoothly. There are always challenges which we have to tackle
together," he said.
Telephone practice
Answering a question about the ever more popular telephone practice, which has more meaning as a censor mechanism by the government
towards mass media information, Hartono said that he quite did not understand.
"How many times did you ask that. I myself don't understand the telephone practice. the problem is, I never phone. So I don't understand
the meaning," he said.
But if there is news which proves that it will disturb more important tasks concerning the interest of the state and the people, according to
Hartono, the efforts by phone can also be made.
"Of course it depends on all of you also. For instance if there is a situation which is considered very disturbing-whether it concerns the honor
of the nation and the state or stability of security and politics. Meanwhile what is found by us (reporters) is just at the beginning stage, not the
final discovery of an effort to seek. Don't we need to remind?" Hartono answered.
So the telephone practice can be implemented if the press society itself understands that it is needed for the interest of the nation and the
state. "Including freedom of press. As long as it is responsible I support what you write. Now remains the understanding of what is
responsible. Let us discuss it. Because it may be that the hair is the same black, but the content of the heads differ," he said.
Asked about the implementationm of the stipulation of 20 percent of share ownership in a press publisher, Hartono said that "If it is a
stipulation and must be realized, I will force it,".
Mediator
Asked about the idea that he will be the mediator in the conflict between IPTN (Nusantara Airplane Industry) and The Jakarta Post daily,
Hartono said that he still had to wait for the developments. "We wait...whether I can become a mediator like you propose," he said.
After the inauguration as Menpan on Wednesday (11/6), Hartono brought forward his idea of human approach before legal actions against
the press which makes faults in its reporting.
That statement got positive reactions from various circles so that the concept emerged of the possibility of Hartono as mediator. Hartono did
not refuse it with saying (there is no problem) if it is for our common interest."
"We have a Pancasila moral, to consent... is it not so. Of course that is the best step to take. A man can make a mistake. No person is
perfect. But of course from the press side itself the opportunities for negotiating and consent based on fair humanity and civilization must not
be misinterpreted, given a wrong meaning," Hartono said.
Meanwhile The Jakarta Post's General Manager Raymond P Toruan expressed his thanks for the statement and attention of Menpen
Hartono. Nevertheless, he said, his side had already appointed a lawyers team. "We will convey it to our lawyers team which is led by
Todung Mulya Lubis," he said.
Must be willing...
At the agenda of the transfer of office, among the invited persons were among others the Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of
Representatives Abu Hasan Sazili, the chief of staff of socio politics of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General Syarwan Hamid, The Head of
the Armed Forces's Central Information Brigadier General Slamet Supriadi, the Chairman of the PWI Sofyan Lubis, the Chief Editor of the
National News Agency Antara Handjojo Nitimihardjo, the Chief Editor of Kompas Jakob Oetama, the former Indonesian Ambassador for
Australia and former Chief Editor of The Jakarta Post Sabam Siagian and the Chairman of PWI of Greater Jakarta Tarman Azzam.
Harmoko began his official address with conveying 'a bit of experience' which his father had adviced him for his life of which the gist was
always to be grateful and if you get a function, once you must be willing to release your function for your successor.
With his specific joking Harmoko asked reporters to correct the news if there are who wrote, "Menpen General (ret) R Hartono." This was
admitted by Hartono.
To adjust immediately
Hartono on his turn with his specific Madurese joking said that he wanted to make an "intro" before entering his official address. Hartono
said that for 35 years he had become a soldier. So when he entered the room he was a bit confused whether he had to walk as a militar or
walk relaxed with the position of his hands behind him. "For 35 years, if we stand at rest, the hands are behind. So please don't think that I
still have a military appearance eventhough I am already Minister of Information. Insya Allah, I'll try to adjust myself," said Hartono, which
was met with laughter from the audience.
Hartono also disclosed that he just used these two last days a complete civilian outfit, namely during the transfer of office yesterday and his
installation as Menpen the day before. "Therefore I think about trying to have additional coats. He had a Safari shirt when he was Governor
of the Lemhanas (National Defense Institute) but that his body had changed. He also said not to be too concerned with the new Menpen
from the militars. Because Hartono had once also been a teacher. As a person with territorial experience he hopes that he can adjust himself
as part of the information society.
The right capital
Answering questions from reporters, the Chief Editor of the Kompas daily Jakob Oetama brought forward that the statement of Menpen
Hartono about the importance of the mas media and his wish to make tomorrow better than today, formed the beginning for the cooperation
between the Menpen and the mass media.
That Hartono had a military career does not mean that he cannot become a good Menpen. Because since the training a member of the
Armed Forces is equipped with territorial commands and this is closely related with the dual function. The more Pak Hartono, is not he a
general; so already tested.
Indeed views, approaches and understandings about information not automatically make that the situation becomes better, eventhough Pak
Hartono has already been equipped. But the open attitude of Pak Hartono for opinions either which agree or disagree to be processed in his
new thoughts. This forms the right capital. "I think that the expectations of the press people are first that we live in an age of change and that
change is very protruding in information, in communication. Lha this is maybe important to see," he said. (*) |
