Emha to appear at college

SEMARANG, Central Java: The noted poet Emha Ainun Najib who has been banned from speaking at public forums in Central Java in recent years is scheduled to address a seminar at the University of Diponegoro.

Rector Muladi said the university has allowed the seminar organizer to invite Emha to discuss national awakening, the Antara news agency said. "We heard that the Military Command and Police have consented to his appearance."

Muladi, who is a member of the National Commission on Human Rights, said banning figures from public appearances is not educational and gives unproportional publicity to the figures.

"Emha's papers should be strictly scientific and he must be able to support every statement he makes with facts and figures," Muladi said, adding that there will be other speakers at the forum ready to counter any controversial remarks from Emha.(prs)