Comment: Did minister shake first lady’s hand?

Nov. 9, Online

Once the wait for President Barack Obama’s return was over, Indonesia turned to another question: Would a conservative Muslim government minister shake hands with the US first lady? He says he did, but not by choice. Footage on YouTube shows otherwise, sparking a debate that has lit up Facebook, Twitter and the rest of the blogosphere.
“I tried to prevent [touching] hands but Mrs. Michelle held her hands too far toward me [so] we touched,” Communications and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring told tens of thousands of followers on Twitter.
While Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, the vast majority practice a moderate form of the faith. But Sembiring has flaunted his piety, making a point of avoiding contact with women who are not related to him.

Your comments:

Perhaps Minister Tifatul was chosen to be in the Cabinet because he’s known as the best “clown”
in town and would make the Cabinet, at least, a little bit humorous amid all the inadequate people in the Cabinet.
Amelia Winnie
Jakarta

Tifatul Sembiring is remarkably shaky in holding on to what he loudly proclaims to be his “principles”.
Tami Koestomo
Bogor

It is a breakthrough for the minister. I wonder if he will consider this a sign from God and mend his rather erratic ways. Moderate Indonesians can only hope so.
Dez
Jakarta

I feel sorry for this guy! He doesn’t belong to this century.
Paul E. Rantau
Singapore

The majority of the world’s people have learned that in the interests of the equality of the sexes, they don’t discriminate on gender when offering a friendly greeting.
The handshake has come to be the universal greeting, so much so that anyone that refuses to join in a handshake often offends as it is seen as an arrogant and discriminatory “put down”, a way of saying that “I am superior to you”.
When I encounter such people that deliberately avoid a handshake, I too feel like I am being discriminated against. When you are representing the government of RI you are expected to be welcoming and understanding of the culture of VIP guests, to not apply your personal agenda. Selamat datang Ibu Michelle.
Nairdah
Sydney