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)