Macau uproar over TV show

AN INDONESIAN travel programme on Macau television has caused controversy in the enclave with the management of Teledifusao de Macau (TdM) ordering an internal inquiry into its screening.

Portuguese newspapers attacked the station for ''supporting Indonesia'' after the programme went to air on Thursday.

Anti-Indonesian sentiment over the 1991 massacre in East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, prompted the attack by at least four papers, which demanded the station make a public apology.

The programme described the archipelago's ''beautiful scenic views and beaches, good food and a paradise for tourists''.

But Macau's Ponto Final newspaper said ''TdM has shocked the Portuguese community in Macau'' and ''once again, we [Portuguese] felt shameful, angry and lost face''.

The Macau Hoje said ''TdM is doing publicity for Indonesia on the eve of Xanana Gusmao's trial''. Gusmao is an East Timorese leader who is about to go on trial for his role as head of the island's independent movement.

Another paper, the Gazeta Macanese , said: ''Did the TdM have no other programmes to go to air that night?'' while the Jornal de Macau said: ''TdM made the mistake, publicity for Indonesia.'' TdM's executive committee said yesterday it would launch an internal investigation to find out ''the reason for broadcasting this programme''.