Deputy mayor acknowledges error

Deputy mayor acknowledges error

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Samarinda Deputy Mayor Achmad
Amins said yesterday that he would publicly apologize for
comments deemed slanderous by religious groups.

After meeting with representatives from the Greater Family of
Christian Students (KBMK) here yesterday, Achmad said he accepted
the objections of the group and was ready to apologize through
various publications.

The group was there to officially complain about remarks made
by the deputy mayor, who after chairing a meeting on a possible
increase in gambling establishments and other "illicit"
entertainment houses reportedly said "If karaoke houses and other
amusement places begin operating again, then Moslems should not
go there. We hope such establishments are reserved for non-
Moslems alone".

The statement received an unfavorable response from community
leaders who regretted the remark.

"We hope all parties can learn from the unfortunate incident,"
KBMK's Juanda Pangaribuan said yesterday as quoted by Antara.