Gathering of prayers with Soeharto canceled
JAKARTA (JP): A gathering to hold joint prayers with former president Soeharto, planned for Sunday, has been called off by organizer Emha Ainun Nadjib.
Emha, known as a newspaper columnist, Muslim preacher and music composer cited two reasons for the cancellation of the event planned at the Baiturrohim mosque on the grounds of the House of Representatives in Central Jakarta, Antara reported Friday.
One reason was because the PDI Perjuangan (Indonesian Democratic Strife Party), under chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, was also planning an event in the nearby Senayan Indoor Stadium. The party is to introduce its new logo.
"We're avoiding the possibility of a clash of supporters," he said. Another was the current investigation into Soeharto's allegedly ill-gotten wealth.
"I believe the event would be more useful if legal procedures concerning Pak Harto had been concluded," he said of the gathering intended for all participants to offer prayers asking God's forgiveness.
Emha visited Soeharto himself to invite him to the event.
He said repentance to God would only be accepted if one had repaired his relations with fellow humans.
"In this context, the (investigation and possible) trial of Soeharto is something which must be done" before the prayers and declaration of repentance, he said.
When he told Soeharto of the cancellation, Emha quoted the latter as saying, "It is no problem, dik (younger brother)."
Soeharto, Emha said, had sent him a copy of a letter he was to read at the Sunday gathering, but refused to convey the contents.
The gathering called Ikrar Khusnul Khatimah was planned to be part of a series of similar activities in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, Imogiri in Yogyakarta, Surabaya and other cities.
Emha denied impressions that the prayers for repentance sought to avoid prosecution of the former president.
The declaration of remorse would not only involve Soeharto but "myself, former rulers, future rulers and officials of the New Order who have conducted collective errors." (anr)