REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PUTRAJAYA - Regretting the insult for Indonesian former president BJ Habibie, Government of Malaysia refuses to apologize to him. The insult, written by the former Malaysia's Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin and publish in Harian Utusan was Maidin's personal opinion, Malaysia's Information Minister, Dato Seri Rais Yatim, said. 

"As a former journalist, he has personal view on the matter. However, we will encourage him to apologize," Rais said on Tuesday as reported by M Ikhsan Shiddieqy from Republika.

He emphasized that both Indonesia and Malaysia could not accept Maidin's inappropriate article. Rais said that if the insult was performed by state officials, they would be fired. "But, it is personal. He should have considered it first," he said.

Rais claimed that he had met with Maidin to talk on the matter. Malaysian Government gave the decision to Maidin. "As a former official, he must think of the relationship of Malaysia and Indonesia," he said.

Meanwhile, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, without clearly mentioned the matter, said that both governments could not let the problems hamper the relationship. He emphasized that Najib and him agreed to manage the issue wisely.

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