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strong>May 22, p4

Close aides of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono are irked by critics who say that the President does not deserve an award due to his failure to guarantee religious freedom for minority groups.

Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam said that Yudhoyono'€™s critics, including respected Catholic priest Franz Magnis Suseno, made false claims about the President.

'€œI have proof that the President has made many comments at Cabinet meetings [about defending minorities]. So, Magnis was wrong when he said the President never paid attention to minorities,'€ Dipo told reporters.

Your comments:

I am confused. Why does every person around SBY always protect him without doing anything to reduce the main problem?

Do something, and the true award will comes from the people.

Ovi Vensus

It is a pathetic a defense of SBY! Try again Pak Alam; you ought to be able to do better.

Henry Manoe

Talk is cheap. When did he condemn fundamentalist groups? When did he fire the police chief who offered no protection and even arrested the victims?

When did he insist that Supreme Court orders are obeyed and churches be allowed to operate?

Sheldon Archer

The statement, '€œgrowth of places of worship of non-Muslims exceeded those of Muslims,'€ could be true.

But look at this country. It is already saturated with places of worship for Muslims. Some lightly populated areas have several within one square kilometer, more in dense areas.

Did Magnis also have his open letter published in the New York Times?

If I were him, I would refuse to accept an award if my conscience told me I did not deserve it.

The award is personal, not for the country, so it should be based on what he has done and not on what he has said.

Will

Romo Magnis is absolutely wrong in this regard. He seemingly took those US citizens as all stupid to grant President SBY the award.

They certainly made the decision based on thorough research. Otherwise, they would have given it to Magnis instead.

By the way, what has he done for Indonesia and its people?

I haven'€™t heard of anything spectacular.

 Aloysius Sutanto

I quote: '€œSo Magnis'€™ statement was not only inappropriate, but also baseless.'€

So all the houses of worship that were closed and the people who have suffered and killed didn'€™t happen?

A good President will protect the rights of his citizens, not just the majority.

Izzy K

Let'€™s start a foundation, bestow a World Statesman Award upon SBY and then at the last minute cancel it with a list of reasons!

That would get attention!

 Tim

SBY has done nothing for the religious minorities in Indonesia.

He deserves no award for fostering religious tolerance because he has done the complete opposite; he has encouraged intolerance through his indecisiveness and inaction.

Franz Magnis, kudos to you for speaking the truth. Those who criticize him should know that action is required before this country slips further and further into the hands of religious radicals. Or maybe you would be happy to lose all the freedoms you have.

Simon

I haven'€™t heard of Romo Magnis sending any letters of protest to the pope for his negligence in investigating sexual harassment against children. Where have you been lately? This issue is more pressing than the award.

Gambino Gugur

Romo Magnis deserved to be heard, but his voice is one-sided. I totally support SBY and Dipo. Go Mr. President; millions of Indonesians are very proud of you.

Those who are short-sighted will always fail to see and honor your achievements. May God bless you always.

 Tulung Wagino

I believe there are many motivations behind the award. The expectation may be that the individual chosen may need to put more attention on a certain issue.

In this era of freedom of speech, it should not be difficult for everybody to establish a foundation to honor somebody.

The chance is also open for Catholic Priest Franz Magnis Suseno, with his strong support, to run the foundation. And then let the public be the final arbiter.

Suri Adnyana

The father has every right to question the President; after all, as a citizen he only has limited influence over the entirety of the nation, unlike the President.

 Soe