MC's slip leaves him laughingstock

PADANG, West Sumatra: Muzahar Ayat was lucky to remain unscratched after committing a potentially damning slip of the tongue as the master of ceremonies during a United Development Party (PPP) campaign.

After vociferous campaigners took turns condemning rival Golkar as "the corruptors and hypocrites party", Muzahar strode back onto stage and yelled into the microphone, "Long live Golkar!"

He did not realize his verbal slipup until he saw everybody around him shaking with laughter. After a pause and awkward glance around, he yelled, "Long live PPP!"

Jeers and angry shouts were hurled at a visibly nervous Muzahar.

When he heard someone yell "Muzahar provocateur!", he tried to remain calm, saying: "Fellow PPP supporters, laugh a good laugh every time I mention 'Golkar' because the Banyan Tree (Golkar symbol) deserves it."

Then he pulled on the next speaker and disappeared, not to be seen again for the rest of the event.

"Viva Golkar, oh ... PPP!" (28)