Gathering of prayers with Soeharto canceled

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)