JAKARTA, Indonesia — A conservative Muslim government minister admits he shook hands with first lady Michelle Obama in welcoming her to Indonesia but says it wasn’t his choice.
Footage on YouTube shows otherwise.
“I tried to prevent (being touched) with my hands, but Mrs. Michelle held her hands too far toward me (so) we touched,” Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring said on Twitter.
While Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, the vast majority practice a moderate form of the faith. But Sembiring has flaunted his conservatism and says he avoids contact with women who are not related to him.
The minister was among the dignitaries in a receiving line that greeted the Obamas in Jakarta on Tuesday. In footage of the official welcome, Sembiring smiled broadly as he shook the president’s hand and then reached with both hands to grasp Michelle Obama’s. But later he said she forced their contact.
The Associated Press
