|
"MERDEKA" Dally Newspaper Thursday, October 24, 1996 |
|
|
|
HARMOKU'S PUNCH WAS RESPONDED BY SMILE
Usually, if Harrnoko, the Minister of Information receiving the guests in his omce is quiet and formal. But, yesterdy the situation was quiet different. His office changed like market, it was fllled by some people and sound a little bit noisy. What was happening ? Its reasonable, yesterday, the Minister of Information had a special guest. He was former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali. The presence of a boxing legendary in that office totally changed the situation 100%. At 8:00 sharp, with whHe sedan car Ali arrived at Harrnoko's omce. When he steped out of the car, a former boxing who still has charisma walked slowly and his hand grambling because of Parkinson Syndrom but he still gave his specific smile freely The black suit that he wore could not cover his weak body, however, Ali kept cheerful. His visits in Jakarta bring a social, religion and business mission, so he is demanded to perform fresh and attractive. As soon as Ali arraived in front of Harmoko's office, Harmoko welcomed with the style of boxing. Ali smiled, and the situation changed becoming friendly. "can you play boxing ?" Ali asked, "No but my son who is studying in the United State really loves boxing" answered Harrnoko, while, he was explanaining about the one of his three sons. Talking about children, Ali also talked about his children - assisting by his associate, Harvey Goldstein, the leader who sponsoring Ali's visit - the total of his children is USeven girls and two boys," said Ali whose the fourth wife is Marketing degree of UCLA. Knowing the number of "the big mouth" children, Harmoko talking about KB (Family Planning) program in Indonesia, that detennine two children for native people and one child for Chinese (Indonesian cHizen).
In friendly situation, bisides talking about his cnildren, Hammoko also talked about his meeting with President of the United State, Bill Clinton, during APEC meeting in Bogor also former President, Ronald Reagan who had ever visited Bali. When mentioning about the batik shirts that wom by the Presidents while they attended APEC meeting, Ali so interested and wish to have that Indonesian traditional shirt. But at that time there was no batik shirt, so as a friendship symbolize, Harmoko presented the books about Indonesia, Anantakupa plaque and pinned "Api nan Tak Kunjung Padam" (~Fire That Never Die") emblem as a present. Besides, Hammoko put a peci (black moslem hat) on the head of Muhammad Ali that used to give to his rival to be punched. Eventhough, the size of that peci (hat) is 10,5 - the normal size for Indonesian but still looked small for the head of the winner of Gold Medal in Rome Olimpic, 1960. On the meeting that was unscheduled in Minister of Information's agenda, Harmoko also presented a title of Honorary Information Master (Award Ordinay Indormation Offcial of The Republic of Indonesia) to the former heavyweight boxing champion who has visHed indonesia for three times. Acccording to Minister of Information, the successful of Muhammad Ali in spreading Islam mission, fight poverty, social underdevelopment and the problem of Information Master in Indonesia were the reason of presenting the honorary award. And Harmoko did not forget to tell about the Information regulation Indonesia " We implementing an "open sky policy" system, which enable unlimited information enter ing Indonesia but keep protecting ourself with Pancasila and UUD 45, Harmoko said. During his visit to Department of Information, yes~eruay, ~ll ~..110..-,7. ,,.._...._ saw a joumalist whose big enough, Ali asked him to boxing. He demonstrated Shadow Boxing and his style still looked good. In the meeting that was held about 30 minutes yesterday, Ali still diff'cult to speak, but he tried to speak even a Ifflle bit hard. During 30 minutes meeting Ali enjoyed the serving and a cup of his favourite sweet tea. During his visits in Indonesia this time, the former heavyweight boxing champion who had ever taken back his title for three times which ever lose, always drink something sweet. "He really loves four small sugar cube for a cup of tea or coffee," said Yank Barry, The President of VitaPro, who sponsoring Ali's visit in Indonesia. On his visit at Harapan Kita Hospital, Ali had a cup of sweet tea. Ali's meeting with Minister Hannoko was a short meeting, approximately 30 minutes, because, Minister of Information was going to have a Special Coordinating Meeting for Politics & Security. At 08:30 sharp, Ali and his party left the Department of Information off ce bringing a new title. Not "A Big mouth" but Honorary Information Master. In fact, Ali is still respected eventhough he already left the boxing ring for a long time, he deserves to getit. |
