'Surya' apologizes for mistake

'Surya' apologizes for mistake

SURABAYA: The East Java-based Surya daily admitted yesterday
that it had made a mistake in a report which said that opposition
figure Amien Rais was among those earmarked to receive a total of
Rp 260 billion (US$22.6 million) for helping to topple former
president Soeharto.

Deputy chief editor Basuki Subianto conceded that his
reporters had made a mistake when they failed to recheck an item
found on the Internet which claimed the New York Times had
written that Amien Rais had received the money.

About 200 students from a Muhammadiyah youth group rallied in
front of the daily's office to protest the article.

One of the student representatives pointed out in a meeting
with Surya editorial staff that the original New York Times
article of May 20 never mentioned Amien Rais as a recipient.

Basuki formally apologized for the mistake and agreed to a set
of corrective measures including printing a half-page apology.

The daily also said it would print a special interview with
Amien Rais explaining the matter and would also place quarter
page apologies in the Jawa Pos and Surabaya Pos dailies.
(nur)