A handshake today between first lady Michelle Obama and Indonesia’s Information Minister is stirring controversy and calling into question the minister’s conservative Muslim values. TODAYshow.com’s Dara Brown reports.
Indonesian minister says he shook first lady's hand — by accident
Official, known for flaunting his piety, says touch wasn't by choice
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Once the wait for President Barack Obama's return was over, Indonesian anticipation turned to another question: Would a conservative Muslim government minister shake the first lady's hand?
He says he did, but not by choice. Footage on YouTube shows otherwise, sparking a debate that has lit up Facebook, Twitter and the rest of the blogosphere.
"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 told tens of thousands of followers on Twitter.