Habibie 'satisfied' with Saefuddin<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie has refused to bow to
\nmounting pressure that he dismiss State Minister of Food and
\nHorticulture A.M. Saefuddin over the latter's offensive remarks
\nabout Hinduism, a minister indicated on Monday.<\/p>\n
Minister\/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said the President had
\ntold him that he did not have any plans to reshuffle the cabinet
\ndespite Balinese demands that he replace Saefuddin.<\/p>\n
\"As far as I know, the President is satisfied with the
\nperformance of all his ministers,\" Akbar said after meeting
\nHabibie at Merdeka Palace.<\/p>\n
Supreme Advisory Council chairman A.A. Baramuli said on Sunday
\nthat he would propose the replacement of Saefuddin to the
\nPresident for his offensive remarks about Hinduism.<\/p>\n
Before attending a weekly cabinet meeting two weeks ago, the
\nvocal Saefuddin said he had a better chance of becoming the
\ncountry's next president than the chairwoman of the splintered
\nIndonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati Soekarnoputri because
\nshe was a Hindu.<\/p>\n
He said predominantly Moslem Indonesia was not be ready to be
\nled by a Hindu. Megawati is in fact a Moslem, but Saefuddin
\npointed out that she had been pictured several times praying in
\nHindu temples in Bali.<\/p>\n
Megawati has kept her silence thus far, but Saefuddin's
\nstatement sparked much anger in Bali. Bali Governor Dewa Made
\nBeratha met with the President last week to deliver the people's
\ndemand that Saefuddin be punished.<\/p>\n
The President told the governor to convey his apology and
\nregrets to the Balinese, and assured him he had warned Saefuddin
\nnot to repeat such a mistake.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot prohibit people from making such a demand, but
\n(they) should be proportional,\" Akbar noted.<\/p>\n
I Nyoman Japa, the coordinator of a series of protests on the
\ntourism island last week, had threatened to organize a massive
\nstrike in the province on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to coincide with
\nthe Youth Day.<\/p>\n
Also on Monday, about 175 traditional leaders from various
\nregencies marched to the Bali legislative council to again drive
\nhome their message that Saefuddin be sacked.<\/p>\n
In their statement, read out by I Nyoman Subrata, they said:
\n\"The President must remove Saefuddin from his ministerial post
\nand take him to court.\"<\/p>\n
Antara quoted council speaker I Ketut Sundria as promising to
\nconvey their message to the central government.<\/p>\n
During Soeharto's 32 years in power, many people believed the
\ncountry's president had to be a Moslem, Javanese and an Army
\ngeneral. Habibie is a Moslem, a native of South Sulawesi and a
\ncivilian. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/habibie-satisfied-with-saefuddin-1447893297",
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