Leaders ask Kwik, Sofyan to patch up their dispute
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)