Malaysia's Astro Regrets KPPU’s Attitude
Wednesday, 27 February, 2008 | 15:09 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Astro All Asia Network, the Malaysian Astro TV's operator, has said that it regretted the attitude of the Business Competition Commission (KPPU) as it is considered that this resulted in losses to the whistle blower in the alleged 2007 English Football League show broadcasting monopoly case.

The investigating panel was considered to have exposed matters that were confidential.

Through its legal adviser, Todung Mulya Lubis, Astro All Asia Network questioned the status of the handling of the case by KPPU.

Todung said he was of the opinion that the proceeding ethics or the examination procedures at KKPU needed to be made clearer.

Cases being handed by KKPU must not be open for public.
“Why were such matters were leaked to the media?” asked Todung.

After asking the Direct Vision management for an explanation last Friday (22/2), the investigating panel for the English League program monopoly explained about the Astro All Asia Network paid television station's distribution agreement with Direct Vision.

A.M. Tri Anggraini, the investigating panel's chairperson, regarded the agreement improper as it was not in line with the detail of the distribution obligation and rights of both parties.

This is despite the fact that the business agreement should state the obligations and rights of each party.
“In addition, Astro TV has been broadcasting for two years,” said Tri.

According to him, the agreement details are very important to prove the allgation that Direct Vision and Astro All Asia hampered other business players in obtaining the broadcasting rights for the English League (Koran Tempo, February 26).

As regards the agreement contents that KPPU is questioning, Todung did not comment much. “We need to read all documents closely. We'll explain in the examination later,” he said.

Astro All Asia's management is scheduled to be examined at KKPU's office this Friday (29/2).

The alleged case of unhealthy business competition over the 2007 English League broadcasting was started from a report by PT MNC Sky Vision (Indovision), PT Indosat Mega Media (IM2) and PT Indonusa Telemedia (Telkomvision) to KPPU in September 2007.

They questioned about the English League broadcasting rights from ESPN Star Sport (ESS)

Agoeng Wijaya