Zainuddin article on Habibie improper and unethical, says Indonesian president

JAKARTA, Dec 18 — Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the article written by former Malaysian Information Minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin on Indonesia’s third President BJ Habibie was improper and unethical. 

The article, he said, could jeopardise the good ties between Indonesia and Malaysia. 

“We have worked it out, the foreign minister will take diplomatic notes both here and in Kuala Lumpur,” Yudhoyono(picture) was quoted by Antara news agency as published by English daily theJakarta Post today. 

Yudhoyono, who is leaving today for Malaysia to attend the annual consultation, the highest forum in Malaysia-Indonesia in bilateral ties, said Indonesia would raise the issues of mutual respect and tolerance during the meeting so that similar incidents would not recur to obstruct friendship between both countries. 

Zainuddin’s article is considered by many in Indonesia as offensive towards Habibie. 

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said the president would also raise priority issues including protection for Indonesians working in Malaysia, the boundary, trade and investment at the meeting. 

Yudhoyono will have a private, face-to-face meeting with Najib before leading the Indonesian delegation at the ninth annual consultation. 

Universiti Utara Malaysia is scheduled to confer the president with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership of Peace. — Bernama