PKS decries US Ambassador for cancelling meeting

JAKARTA. The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) regretted the cancellation of a meeting with the US Ambassador for Indonesia, Scot Marciel that was supposed to take place today at PKS' headquarters at the House of Representatives.

"We were told the Ambassador was supposed to be at the embassy today, but the embassy was closed, as were other US consulate offices around the country. They asked us to reschedule the meeting and said that they would give us further information by Monday," said lawmaker Hidayat Nur Wahid, who has been elected to chair the PKS faction at the House.

US Ambassador Scot Marciel was expected to meet PKS' executives today to discuss the widespread protests against the American-made anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims.

Hidayat said that he regretted the embassy's decision to cancel the meeting because it would deliver “the wrong message” to the public.

"The Ambassador shouldn't have cancelled the meeting with us amid massive protests against the US due to a film that insults Prophet Muhammad. The decision will give an impression that Indonesia is not safe at the time being," Hidayat said.

According to Hidayat, US "paranoia" is unreasonable because law enforcement has promised to guarantee the safety of the US Embassy and consulate offices nationwide.

"This will be a disadvantage for the US. The US should have set an example for other countries to not run away from the problem," Hidayat said. (Margareth S. Aritonang/The Jakarta Post)