Habibie 'understands furor' over Hindu remark

Habibie 'understands furor' over Hindu remark

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie emphasized on Wednesday
that he fully understood the emotional outburst by the Balinese
and Hindus over the recent remark by State Minister of Food and
Horticulture Affairs A.M. Saefuddin.

Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha quoted the President as hoping
that Hindus would stay calm for the sake of the nation's
integrity.

"The President conveyed his hope that Balinese society would
not become emotional, but remain broad-minded and wise," the
governor said after meeting with the President at Merdeka Palace
on Wednesday evening.

Accompanied by a group of religious leaders, Beratha delivered
to Habibie the Balinese's demands that the President impose stiff
sanctions on Saefuddin for his remarks about Hinduism, despite
his apology.

However, "we hope his apology will ease people's emotion,"
Beratha said.

Saefuddin said last week the popular chairwoman of the
splintered Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati
Soekarnoputri was not the right person to lead the country
because "she was a Hindu." The statement angered people in the
resort island.

Saefuddin, known as a humorous professor of agriculture, said
he did not believe Indonesians -- the majority of whom are
Moslems -- would accept a Hindu as their president.

When asked whether he was satisfied with the President's
response, the governor replied: "We'll leave it up to him".

After two meetings with Habibie on Monday and Tuesday,
Saefuddin issued a categorical apology over the statement and
emphasized he had not intended to insult other religions.

The President instructed his ministers on Wednesday not to
make confusing statements and said they were expected to only
comment on matters relevant to their portfolios.

"The President has asked his cabinet ministers to speak
relevantly, although they may have their own perceptions on
several issues," Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said.

Saefuddin is the only United Development Party (PPP)
representative in the cabinet. He has made a number of
controversial remarks, including an alleged endorsement of
looting within certain limitations.

He then nominated himself to be the next country's president
and challenged his potential contenders to an open debate using
foreign languages as a proof of their abilities. (prb)