No need for apology, says Yogie S.M.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. told
\nrepresentatives of the United Development Party (PPP) that he
\nmeant no offense when he called its chairman sakit (sick), and
\ntherefore an apology was not forthcoming.<\/p>\n
After meeting with PPP leaders, minus chairman Ismail Hasan
\nMetareum, Yogie told reporters that the chairman had not
\nexpressly stated that he was offended by the remark.<\/p>\n
\"There's no need for an apology and reconciliation because I
\nnever meant to insult him and Buya didn't feel insulted,\" Yogie
\ntold journalists as he left his office yesterday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Buya, which means a revered teacher, is the name by which
\nIsmail Hasan is often addressed.<\/p>\n
Ismail Hasan was originally expected to take part in the
\nmeeting between PPP members of the central executive board and
\nYogie to inform and ask the minister to open PPP's national
\nworkshop on Oct. 24 to 26. Instead, four members of the board --
\nHamzah Haz, Ali Hardi Kiai Demak, Zein Badjeber and Mohammad
\nBuang -- turned up at Yogie's office.<\/p>\n
Ali Hardi told reporters that the chairman had to suddenly
\ncancel his plan because of an urgent family matter out of town
\nthat he had to tend to.<\/p>\n
When asked about Ismail Hasan's absence, Yogie replied that
\n\"it's all right for Buya not to attend\".<\/p>\n
Yogie drew fire from many PPP members and supporters when on
\nMonday he said that Ismail Hasan was \"sick\" when the PPP chairman
\nsaid that the minority parties were sidelined in the current
\npolitical system.<\/p>\n
PPP members have since demanded that Yogie apologize for the
\nremark which they considered insulting.<\/p>\n
Hamzah Haz told reporters after the meeting with Yogie
\nyesterday that both sides agreed that the matter was resolved
\nunless Ismail Hasan thought otherwise.<\/p>\n
\"The matter now is considered over. However, if it is still
\nconsidered an impediment, then the minister is willing to settle
\nthe matter further,\" Hamzah said adding that Yogie would like to
\nmeet personally meet with the PPP chairman.<\/p>\n
Ali Hardi also said that the issue is actually not as
\ncontentious as people think. \"Their personal relationship is very
\ngood,\" he said of Yogie and Ismail Hasan who actually live close
\nto each other at the Widya Chandra housing complex.<\/p>\n
Unlike his controversial response on Monday, Yogie yesterday
\nwas more conciliatory to the suggestion that the PPP and the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party (PDI) had been sidelined by the
\ncurrent political system, particularly in the regions.<\/p>\n
He told reporters that he would look into the matter but
\nstressed that the government has never condoned such practices.<\/p>\n
\"Yes I will instruct them,\" he said when asked whether he
\nwould order the regions not to sideline PPP and PDI.<\/p>\n
\"However, even without being instructed it is quite clear that
\nthe political parties are not being sidelined,\" Yogie asserted.<\/p>\n
To avoid similar misunderstandings in the future, Hamzah Haz
\nsaid he had asked Yogie to establish a hot line in his office so
\npolitical parties can immediately get in touch with the minister
\nshould any problems arise.<\/p>\n
According to Hamzah the minister approved the idea. (mds)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/no-need-for-apology-says-yogie-sm-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }