Can kyai kiss a woman?

Can kyai kiss a woman?

From Republika

As a Moslem of Ahlus Sunnah Waljamaah I would like to ask a
question concerning Islamic law. Can a man embrace and kiss a
woman, who is not his wife, as a sign of affection, not out of
lust or passion, just as a parent to children, or a teacher to
pupils?

I am asking this question because I was surprised when I read
a report in Kedaulatan Rakyat Yogyakarta (Jan. 10, 1995) that
ulema KH Muslim Rifa'i, Head of Religious Boarding House of Al
Muttaqin Karanganom, Klaten, welcomed Megawati, Chairman of
Indonesian Democratic Party, and embraced and kissed her when the
latter visited the institution, in the presence of her husband
Taufiq Kemas.

According to the fikih (Islamic conduct) books -- Taqrib,
Fatchul Mu'in, Al Muhadzab, a man should not touch a woman (other
than his wife), let alone kiss her, although he only kisses her
eyebrow or hand. Is there an exception for kyai? I would
appreciate an explanation from Al-mukarom Rois Am Syuriah of
Nahdlatul Ulama Executives Board.

A. SLAMET

Yogyakarta