Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim had on December 19 posted his media statement on his blog, demanding Minister of Information, Communication and Culture Rais Yatim apologise to BJ Habibie for the 'bombs' Zainuddin Maidin dropped on the former Indonesian president.
What ZAM wrote in Utusan Malaysia drew criticism from both side of the Strait of Malacca, especially in Indonesia.
However, the article is personally his and didn't reflect the government's view. Some contents of it were too harsh but ZAM must have his own valid reasons in doing so.
And if there is someone who should apologise to Habibie and the Indonesians, its ZAM... and not Rais. So, Anwar's demand for Rais' apology was totally absurd and undoubtedly was meant to dramatise the issue.
I don't know is the matter was discussed by PM Najib and President Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono during the latter's visit to Malaysia a few days ago but as far as the government-to-government ties go, relations are still very much intact.
Anwar has been criticising Rais for being adamant of ZAM's article, not realising it was all an individual's perception of Habibie. Unless ZAM is still with the Cabinet, then apology from the government is compulsory as it caused some stirs to our diplomatic relation.
And why should Rais apologise? He didn't make accusations like 'pengkhianat bangsa' of any sorts?
My reading of the issue is, it was morally and diplomatically wrong for Habibie to come and exude an oppositional posture to the government and ruling BN...but no leader or a padt leader should label anyone as 'pengkhianat bangsa', especially being a Muslim as such.
I also think ZAM owes Habibie a personal apology although not a political one. ZAM acted on his own and the government played no part in it.
At the other end of the spectrum, Anwar felt ineffective in his onslaught against BN leadership, hence needed a walking stick from a former president of Indonesia. ZAM should have blasted both personalities but not by labeling Habibie 'pengkhianat'.
And I think Malaysians would agree that Habibie deserves a political spanking by meddling in our domestic politics. We had, all the while stayed away from stepping into the Indonesian politics. As much as we don't interfere with theirs, they should also keep out of ours!
However, Habibie went a bit overboard by coming to Malaysia and 'team up' with Pakatan Rakyat leaders. When he was president and visited Malaysia, he was such an adorable and much respected for his standpoint that politics aside, both countries should cement all ties to bring the peoples together.
Even as an ex president, he shouldn't be doing so - engaging himself with PR and showing open support for them. If he wants, do it in discreet!
ZAM got some positive points, except for calling Habibie 'pengkhianat' and 'a dog of imperialism', the terminologies that won Habibie sympathy back home.
Now the ball is at ZAM's feet... not Rais' or Najib's or others!
What ZAM wrote in Utusan Malaysia drew criticism from both side of the Strait of Malacca, especially in Indonesia.
And if there is someone who should apologise to Habibie and the Indonesians, its ZAM... and not Rais. So, Anwar's demand for Rais' apology was totally absurd and undoubtedly was meant to dramatise the issue.
I don't know is the matter was discussed by PM Najib and President Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono during the latter's visit to Malaysia a few days ago but as far as the government-to-government ties go, relations are still very much intact.
Anwar has been criticising Rais for being adamant of ZAM's article, not realising it was all an individual's perception of Habibie. Unless ZAM is still with the Cabinet, then apology from the government is compulsory as it caused some stirs to our diplomatic relation.
And why should Rais apologise? He didn't make accusations like 'pengkhianat bangsa' of any sorts?
My reading of the issue is, it was morally and diplomatically wrong for Habibie to come and exude an oppositional posture to the government and ruling BN...but no leader or a padt leader should label anyone as 'pengkhianat bangsa', especially being a Muslim as such.
I also think ZAM owes Habibie a personal apology although not a political one. ZAM acted on his own and the government played no part in it.
At the other end of the spectrum, Anwar felt ineffective in his onslaught against BN leadership, hence needed a walking stick from a former president of Indonesia. ZAM should have blasted both personalities but not by labeling Habibie 'pengkhianat'.
And I think Malaysians would agree that Habibie deserves a political spanking by meddling in our domestic politics. We had, all the while stayed away from stepping into the Indonesian politics. As much as we don't interfere with theirs, they should also keep out of ours!
However, Habibie went a bit overboard by coming to Malaysia and 'team up' with Pakatan Rakyat leaders. When he was president and visited Malaysia, he was such an adorable and much respected for his standpoint that politics aside, both countries should cement all ties to bring the peoples together.
Even as an ex president, he shouldn't be doing so - engaging himself with PR and showing open support for them. If he wants, do it in discreet!
ZAM got some positive points, except for calling Habibie 'pengkhianat' and 'a dog of imperialism', the terminologies that won Habibie sympathy back home.
Now the ball is at ZAM's feet... not Rais' or Najib's or others!
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