Amien apologizes over PKB row

Amien apologizes over PKB row

SEMARANG: National Mandate Party (PAN) leader Amien Rais
apologized on Saturday to executives and supporters of the
National Awakening Party (PKB) for remarks he made about PKB
cofounder Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

"I thank the PKB for its reprimand and I apologize to my
brothers in the PKB if my statement was seen as offensive," Amien
said during a post-Idul Fitri gathering on Saturday.

The PKB sent Amien an official complaint letter after he said
he would refuse to be reelected as PAN leader because he did not
want to emulate Gus Dur, whom he said dominated the PKB.

Amien went on to say that Gus Dur, as the PKB's chief patron,
was a headache for party executives.

Amien asked the PKB to accept his apology and that he hoped to
restore the friendly ties between the two parties. -- Antara