Leaders ask Kwik, Sofyan to patch up their dispute
JAKARTA (JP): The country's top leaders called on Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie and National Business Development Council (DPUN) chairman Sofyan Wanandi on Monday to quickly settle their dispute.
"When there is friction, it is expected to be solved without frenzy, because the impression resulting from it will be discouraging. I think this problem (conflict) was also discussed just now," foreign minister Alwi Shihab said after meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid at Merdeka Palace.
Alwi said the spat was one of other key issues discussed during the meeting between the President, People's Consultative Assembly speaker Amien Rais, House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Akbar Tandjung and respected Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid.
"It (the meeting) was not meant to reconcile them, but to create a calm atmosphere," Alwi replied when asked whether the leaders wanted to mediate in the dispute between Kwik and Sofyan.
Kwik reportedly threatened to resign from the Cabinet on Friday, very upset at allegations that his son Inghie Kwik was involved in negotiations for the acquisition of PT Humpuss Terminal Petikemas with Hutchison Port Holdings of Hong Kong.
Kwik and Sofyan have often been involved in exchanges of harsh words and criticisms. Kwik once cynically described the DPUN as an agency to embezzle debts, while Sofyan lashed out at Kwik for attacking conglomerates too much.
"Actually there is no problem (between them)," Alwi said in an apparent effort to scale down the dispute between the President's men.
Alwi hosted the closed-door meeting at his private residence in Kemang, South Jakarta, on Monday morning without any publicity.
When asked why the meeting was held at his residence, Alwi said it was aimed at avoiding gossip and unnecessary speculation.
Alwi also said the President had called on World Bank President James Wolfenson during the meeting to reiterate the government's commitment to the bank and the International Monetary Fund. (prb)