"SUARA KARYA" Dally Newspaper Thursday, October 24, 1996

MUHAMMAD ALI RECEIVING A TITLE OF HONORARY INFORMATION MASTER Jakarta (Suara Karya)' Minister of Information, H. Harmoko presented the honorary title ~Honorary Award of Information Officer of the Republic of Indonesia" or Honorary Information Master to legendary boxer H. Muhammad Ali for his mission as Humanism Ambassador. The award presentation was signed by pinning the Department of Information emblem "The Fire That Never Die", proceeded by providing white turban and peci (moslem black hat). It was held in the Minister of Irformation omce when he was receiving Muhammad Ali, on Wednesday, October 23, 1996. Besides meeting with Minister of Information, Harmoko, Ali also met Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr. H. Tarmizi taher. Minister of Information, Harmoko, said that Ali's activities is parallel with Department of Information program, to f~ght poverty and underdevelopment in the society. Minister of Information really appreciate for the good intention that is implemented by the former heavyweight boxer champion, in the middle of his busy schedule he still has time to give the light for wiping out poverty in the world. For that reason he tought that is necessary to pinning the Department of Information emblem UApi Nan Tak Kunjung Padamn (~The Fire That Never Die") to Muhammad Ali in order to continue and keep the spirit to serve the society in social mission. On that occasion, the Minister of Information said to Muhammad Ali and the party that he expects Ali will keep the emblem where ever he goes as a symbol of Ambassador from Indonesia. During the 30 minutes meeting, Muhammad Ali asked to the Minister of Information, can you play boxing ? The Minister said that he can not boxing, but, his son who is studying in the State likes boxing and have ever practiced. When he was received by Minister of Religious Affairs, Tammizi, at his residence Jalan W'dya Chandra II, Muhammad Ali also asked and challenged the Minister of Religious Affairs to play boxing with him. But, the Minister laughed and rised his hands up, like gave up. Hearty laugh was colouring Ali's visit at the Minister of Religious Affairs residence, especially Minister Tarmizi's grand daughter, Dina (3 years old), with no fear she liked sitting on Ali's lap. Tarmizi said that he loved to see Ali when Ali was fighting Joe Frazier. ~ At that time 1972, I was studying Medical Science in the States," he said. Minister Tammizi said that Muhammad Ali who was popular as a heavyweight boxing champion, now still special, as an Ambassador of humanism, assisting poor children and underdevelopment. One interesting point, Muhammad Ali also brings religious mission while carrying out his activities. "This is very interesting to be observed. Any religious that bring the humanitarian and peaceful! massages based on religious morallity and value, must be penetrated our mind.~ said Minister Tarmizi, who was accompanied by Chairman of MUI, KH Ali Yafie, Secretary of MUI, Dr. M. Din Syamsuddin, member of Muhammadlyah Party, Drs. H. Lukman Harun and Secretary General of Department of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Chatib Quzwain. Talking about Muhammad Ali's visit to Indonesia that is related with VitaPro Food promotion, Minister Tammizi thought, it is related with his desire to market the food from the States which is permitted for Moslem. Minister Tarmizi explained, several years ago the milk market in Indonesia fell down because of rumors that the milk was not pemmitted for Moslem. I hope the case like that will never happened again if the product come from the other countries. Drs. H. Lukman Harun also said, never mind if Muhammad Ali willing to market the USA's food which is permitted for Moslem, however, it will help govemment program to implement labeling "halal" for the food and drink in the market. "If Amerika which only has a minority of Moslem, really care about food and drink which are permitted for Moslem, why Indonesia not ?" said Lukman. During his visit to the Minister of Information and Minister of Religious Affairs, Muhammad Ali was accompanied by his Manager, Yank Barry, producer of VitaPro Food who sponsoring his visit to Indonesia. Yank Barry assisted Ali to explain what was Ali said that expressed very soft. "My idol is Prophet Muhammad." said Ali, when a little reporter who came to Minister Tarmizi's house asked.

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