REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Former Malaysia's Information Minister, Zainuddin Maidin, refused to apologize to former Indonesian President BJ Habibie over his article that insults Habibie.
"I don't want to apologize. This is my personal opinion," Maidin said on Thursday to Republika.
He mentioned that Habibie sold Indonesia to International Monetary Fund (IMF). Thus, every policy issued during his presidency was controlled by IMF.
"He is the agent of George Soros. He is a stooge of Israel and a traitor," accused Maidin. However, he emphasized that it was his personal opinion and not representing United Malays National Organization (UMNO).
He voiced his critical opinion because he felt that Habibie interfered Malaysia's domestic affairs. Habibie visited Malaysia in December 5, upon the invitation of Universitas Selangor. Yet, in that occasion he met People's Justice Party. He presumed that conspiracy between Habibie and Malaysia's opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim could jeopardize domestic stability.
"I want to save my country. This is my holy mission to voice the conspiracy," he said.
During general lecture in Universitas Selangor, Habibie said that pluralism was power. Maidin said Habibie's lecture was misleading as pluralism was dangerous for Malaysia.
"Pluralism promotes freedom and legalizes homosexuality. While we must maintain Malay tradition," Maidin argued.
In Indonesia, Presidium Chairman of Indonesian Association of Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI), Nanat Fatah Natsir, said Maidin must be examined by a psychiatrist.
"His statement is a blunder. He may have mental illness," Natsir said.
Natsir explained that Maidin's statement was not based on facts. He said that Habibie, the founder of ICMI, was a global figure that open the door for democracy in Indonesia as he gave freedom to media.
Natsir asked Prime Minister of Malaysia to warn Maidin. He added that ICMI had delivered its stance over Maidin's statement to Malaysia's government through Indonesian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
"If it continues, we will directly talk to Government of Malaysia," he said.
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