News

PMII has yet to apologize to Minister Aburizal Bakrie

NU Online  ·  Jumat, 21 Maret 2008 | 23:27 WIB

Batam, NU Online
The Central Board of Indonesian Muslim Students Movement (PMII) has yet to apologize to the Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie over an unfriendly act committed by East Java's PMII cadres.

As reported scores of the East Java's PMII students Monday (17/3) chased away Bakrie while addressing the PMII's 16th congress in Batam, Riau Islands for being accused of involving in Sidoarjo's mudflow.<>

We have not yet apologized," said Hery Haryanto, the General Chairman of the PMII on Friday (21/3), adding that he was expected by former general chairman of PMII Suryadharma Ali over the insident.

According to Herry, PMII would not easily follow Ali's suggestion though Bakrie came to the congress arena as minister. Bakrie's post as minister, Herry said, should be separated from his status in PT. Lapindo Brantas.

Herry said he would not easily offer apology to Bakrie that has reportedly distributed a lot of money and even is considered as the largest donor in financing the congress.

While the Chairman of East Java's PMII Dewi Masyitah regretted if the PB PMII offers the apology to Bakrie.

"The PB (PMII) would hurt our feeling, Porong residents, if it does apologize (to Bakrie)," she said.

Masyitah urged the PB PMII to take firm measures over the disaster affecting residents of Porong, Sidoarjo, and many other regions in East Java.

"We recommend the government to revoke the 'natural disaster' status over the 'Lapindo mudflow disaster'," (rif)