'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)