Harmoko apologizes to Moslem community

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko publicly apologized to Moslems yesterday for mispronouncing a verse from the Koran, Islam's holy book, during a speech last July.

"As an individual and an assistant of the President, I sincerely beg for forgiveness from the Islamic community," Harmoko told reporters after meeting with President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace.

He confessed to having mispronounced the Al Fatihah when he opened a wayang (leather puppet) festival in Surakarta in Central Java on July 15, Antara reported.

He stressed however that it was "unintentional" and that there was no motive behind the slip up. "It was not my intention to make a pun."

News of Harmoko's "slip of the tongue" surfaced only last week. There have already been a number of protests in Jakarta condemning the minister.

Harmoko said he realized he had made a mistake. "I have already asked for forgiveness from Allah the Almighty."

He added that he hoped the public will accept his apology and put the matter at rest.

Harmoko said he explained the situation to President Soeharto during their meeting yesterday.

Asked about Soeharto's reaction, he said: "As a Moslem, he forgave what I had done. The President also appreciated the steps I had taken, including asking for forgiveness from God, the Moslem people and the Ulema Council."

Harmoko added that he had already met with the council's chairman, Hassan Basri, to explain the situation. "He understood and gave his forgiveness."

The minister said he realized he had made a mistake before anyone pointed it out to him.

"All of a sudden, I realized (the mistake). As a human I am not free from mistakes, errors and forgetfulness," he confessed. (emb)