[Nasional-e] [Fwd: [Nasional] IBRAHIM ISA -- SELECTED INDONESIAN NEWS, 10 FEBR 03== MEGA - MEDIA - ANTI IRAQ-WAR]

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Betreff: [Nasional] IBRAHIM ISA -- SELECTED INDONESIAN NEWS, 10 FEBR 03== MEGA -
MEDIA - ANTI IRAQ-WAR
Datum: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 19:15:27 +0100
Von: "IBRAHIM BRAMIJN" <i.bramijn@chello.nl>
Rückantwort: national@mail2.factsoft.de
An: <i.bramijn@chello.nl>

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COOL RELATION BETWEEN MEGAWATI AND MEDIA

MEGAWATI TRIES TO EASE TENSION WITH MEDIA

TENS OF THOUSANDS SAY NO TO WAR IN IRAQ

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COOL RELATION BETWEEN MEGAWATI AND MEDIA
Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali, 10 FEBR 03.

Senior journalists listened to President Megawati Soekarnoputri's address on
National Press Day with cool heads as she retorted in response to criticisms
about herself and her administration.

H. Rosihan Anwar, popularly known as a third-generation journalist, played
down the President's address as unremarkable.

"The President's speech was ordinary....nothing very specific. I listened to
her speech without any enthusiasm," he said when asked to comment on the
President's speech during the celebration of National Press Day held in
Denpasar on Sunday.

In her address, Megawati hit out at the press again, saying the press should
be professional and conscientious in exercising press freedom.

Previously, the President also accused certain media of trying to create
political instability by criticizing her administration's policies.

Mohammad Jaffar Assegaf, former chief editor of Media Indonesia, regretted
Megawati's failure to develop a better relationship with the press, saying
she did not realize that she was the leader of a large nation.

"Of course, Megawati delivered her speech in her usual manner...in
responding to harsh criticisms from the press. But, I actually expected that
Megawati, as the head of the nation, would act in a low-profile way, which
would implicitly express her willingness to listen to the media, opinions
and to see how far the problems faced by the people were revealed in the
media.

"Megawati, in her capacity as President, did not act accordingly, she acted
as if she was not the leader of the people. She did not even greet the
audience... She did not inherit the charm, the charisma of her own father
(Indonesia's first president Soekarno).

"I clearly remember how Soekarno stopped by and greeted the crowds and
chatted with the cheering people. Megawati never said hello to her
audience... Look at American President George W. Bush. He is so warm towards
the audience. We need a communicative leader, especially in this time of
crisis," he said.

Surya Paloh, owner of Metro TV station, criticized Megawati's speech as a
reflection of her inability to connect with the press.

"Through her speech, it seems that Megawati is not yet able to effectively
communicate with the press community. But, at least she is trying to
understand the press's concerns and problems."

Sabam Siagian, former chief editor of The Jakarta Post, appreciated the
President's straightforwardness and said, "I was proud to listen to the
speech delivered by the chairman of the Indonesian Press Association (during
the ceremony). On the other hand, President Megawati was also
straightforward. She is fighting back (against media criticism)."

He said further that the event should be followed up by specific meetings
between the President and several people of the press to discuss any
problems the nation was facing.

"I am glad to hear these speeches. But if they only stopped here, it would
be very ineffective, especially in heading towards the coming General
Election in 2004. Campaigns will start in the near future, Megawati could
separate her role as the president and the party leader (she is the
chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, PDI Perjuangan).
Until the end of 2003, she must speak to the people as the head of the
nation. Starting in 2004, she can start talk as the PDI Perjuangan leader,"
he added.

Atmakusumah Astraatmaja, chairman of the Indonesian Press Council, called on
Megawati to clarify all the faults of the press that led her to be emotional
in dealing with the press.

"For me, Megawati is not expressive. But, it is common for whoever is in
power to be too sensitive over media coverage which focus on contentious
issues such as demonstrations," he said. ***
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MEGAWATI TRIES TO EASE TENSION WITH MEDIA

Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali, 10 FEBR 03

President Megawati Soekarnoputri made a reluctant step on Sunday to open a
new dialog with the local media, while at the same time, defended her strong
stance against what she described as "biased, unbalanced and irresponsible"
media reports.

Attending the National Press Day at the Art Center in Denpasar, Bali,
Megawati used the occasion to once again reproach the local media, for
continuously criticizing her unpopular policies and her insensitivity.

"Local media have always accused me of being quick to anger and too
emotional in responding to recent news reports. I am not angry at all -- not
yet," the President chatted on stage before delivering her speech.

In her speech, Megawati said that she respected the freedom of the press and
therefore, the media should also respect and defend freedom.

"We, the government, feel very grateful and respectful of press freedom. But
now, it is the obligation of the press to maintain and guard this freedom,"
asserted the President.

Nevertheless, she continued, in the era of press freedom, the national media
should be more professional and responsible. Otherwise, they could cause
national instability and disintegration, she said.

"The responsibility of the national press lies in its professionalism to
protect and promote national unity," she said in her written speech.

The President urged the National Press Council to optimize its control
system to keep the national media on track in accordance to its own code of
ethics.

She admitted that irresponsible media accounted for only a small minority.
Yet, their actions could harm the image of the entire national media, she
said.

Megawati's relationship with the media has been awkward ever since she took
over from her former superior, president Abdurrahman Wahid.

She has lashed out at local media several times for their critical reports
on her silence or her ill-planned policies, ranging from the government's
handling of Indonesian migrant workers expelled from Malaysia, to the
unpopular policy of raising utility charges and fuel prices simultaneously,
which sparked protests across the country.

State Minister of Communications and Information Syamsul Mu'arif said that
Megawati's attendance at the press gathering would help ease the tension
between the President and the media.

He also said that the government would be very willing to bridge the
communication gap between the media and the government, especially the
President.

"There are dozens of media associations, including printed and electronic
press associations. Which association should the government and the
president talk to?," the minister asked.***
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TENS OF THOUSANDS SAY NO TO WAR IN IRAQ

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, 10 FEBR. 03

Domestic opposition against a possible U.S.-led war on Iraq reached new
heights on Sunday when tens of thousands of people rallied in the capital in
the biggest anti-Iraq war demonstration in the country.

Efforts to thwart the planned war also came from the country's leaders, with
a number of envoys sent to various countries to seek their support against
war.

Two separate groups marched onto the streets on Sunday, one organized by the
Islamic-oriented Justice Party (PK) with tens of thousands of protesters,
and the other led by the National Awakening Party (PKB) with hundreds of
people taking part.

Many of the protesters were women wearing traditional Muslim head scarves
and carrying babies. They marched through downtown Jakarta, waving banners
that read, "Stop War, Save Iraq", "No more blood", and "No Way for State
Terrorism".

"War is a crime against humanity and the international community should not
let it happen," Justice Party's president Hidayat Nurwahid told thousands of
protesters in front of the U.S. Embassy on Jl. Merdeka Selatan, Central
Jakarta.

Police with riot shields were on hand near the U.S. Embassy, but the crowd
was peaceful. The protesters dispersed shortly after midday.

On the same issue, hundreds of PKB supporters protested at the Hotel
Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta.

The protest caused only a slight hitch in the light Sunday traffic in the
capital.

"There are no reasons that can justify a war," PKB Jakarta chief Marzuki
Usman, a former minister, told the protesters.

PKB claims to be an inclusive political party, but its base comprise
traditional Muslims from Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's largest Muslim
organization.

Many religious leaders, politicians and analysts have warned that a U.S.
attack on Iraq could cause a violent backlash in Indonesia, the world's most
populous Muslim country, especially if Washington acts without a formal U.N.
sanction.

The United States, along with Britain, has made repeated efforts to win
Indonesia's backing for a strike on Iraq.

U.S. Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce and British Ambassador Richard Gozney visited
Indonesian legislators on Friday to garner support, but many voiced their
opposition.

The government is unsympathetic towards the U.S. policy on Iraq, as are most
legislators and Indonesians.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has made it clear to the U.S. government
that the United States would not get Indonesia's support in a war with Iraq.

The Indonesian government, nevertheless, promised that it would ensure the
safety of all foreigners and their interests in the country should there be
a backlash from Indonesians in response to Washington's possible war.

Indonesia saw daily protests across the country in 2001 when the United
States attacked Afghanistan, accused of harboring Osama bin Laden, main
suspect behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.

Some radical groups even went to Afghanistan to help Afghans in their fight
against the U.S. attack, while others threatened to expel Americans and
Europeans from Indonesia.

The chairman of the country's second largest Muslim organization
Muhammadiyah, Ahmad Syafii Maarif, called on all Indonesians, especially
Muslims, not to resort to violent acts in expressing their opposition
against the possible war.

"We should remain calm and persistent in trying to prevent war. There is no
need to harass foreigners here in Indonesia," Syafii was quoted by Antara as
saying on Sunday in Yogyakarta.

He also warned that Indonesian Muslims should not go to Iraq, even if a war
started, saying that it would only endanger the lives of the Indonesian
people.

"What we need to do, is to increase our diplomatic efforts to stop the war,"
he said.

Syafii, Cardinal Julius Darmoatmodjo and noted Muslim scholar Nurcholish
Madjid are slated to travel to the Vatican to meet Pope John Paul II and ask
him to help stop the war.

Meanwhile, Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi is tasked with traveling
to Australia to gather support from the anti-war movement there.

At the same time, the Indonesian government's envoy Ali Alatas, previously
the foreign affairs minister, is slated to travel to the Middle East, also
to raise diplomatic efforts and prevent a war. ****

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