Padang, West Sumatra (ANTARA News) - West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno has apologized to his people for causing polemics regarding his visit to Germany last week.

The governor`s visit had drawn criticism from various quarters as it happened while West Sumatra was busy dealing with the aftermath of the tsunami that hit the Mentawai Islands on October 25, 2010. More than 400 people were killed in the disaster while scores of others were still missing.

"I apologize for causing the polemics among the people. I humbly accept all the criticisms about my visit to Germany last week," the governor said here on Monday upon arriving at Minangkabau international airport, Padang city, from Jakarta.

Irwan said his visit to Germany was based on an invitation from Indonesian Ambassador to Germany, Eddy Pratomo. He argued the invitation to visit Germany was sent on March 2010 or before the 7.2 earthquake followed by a tsunami hit the Mentawai Islands last Oct 25.

The governor also argued that his trip to Germany had been approved by Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi.

West Sumatra governor Irwan Prayitno last November 3 left for Germany to be a speaker at the Indonesian Business Day held to promote investment, trade and tourism in the country.

The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in its press statement received by ANTARA News said Irwan who is a party cadre had gone ti Germany at the invitation of the Indonesian ambassador in Berlin.

West Sumatra was one of five provinces invited to the event. The other provinces were South Sumatra, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara and Papua.

It said the Indonesian Business Day was held in cooperation with Indonesian missions in the Federal Republic of Germany, namely the Indonesian embassy in Berlin, the Indonesian consulate general in Frankfurt and the Indonesian consulate general in Hamburg.

The event was designed to introduce Indonesia`s potentials to investors and invite them to invest and do business in the country particularly in the five provinces. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli

COPYRIGHT © 2010

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