Govt covers Gus Dur's U.S. trip expenses<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The new government of President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri has approved and funded the visit of her
\npredecessor Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid to the United States, an
\nofficial said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
A media official at the state secretariat, Indrawadi Tamin,
\nsaid in a statement that the government was covering air fares
\nand accommodation of the former president and his entourage as
\nwell as his medical expenses at John Hopkins Hospital in
\nBaltimore, Maryland.<\/p>\n
\"The financial assistance was disbursed after prior approval
\nof President Megawati Soekarnoputri,\" the statement said.<\/p>\n
The media release was responding to a statement made by head
\nof presidential protocol affairs Wahyu Muryadi who complained
\nthat the government had not assisted in Abdurrahman's U.S. trip.
\nWahyu is among the former president's 13-strong entourage, which
\nalso includes Abdurrahman's wife Sinta Nuriyah and two of their
\ndaughters.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman was ousted in a snap Special Session of People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) last Monday, clearing the way for his
\ndeputy Megawati to take over. The two have not met since.<\/p>\n
Departing on Thursday, Abdurrahman arrived in Baltimore for
\nthe medical checkup on Friday (Saturday Indonesia time).<\/p>\n
In an interview with Antara ahead of his checkup, Abdurrahman
\ninsisted that the MPR Special Session and its results were
\nunlawful, but wished Megawati success.<\/p>\n
He said he was not disappointed with Megawati's decision to
\naccept the MPR's offer.<\/p>\n
\"I was just shocked,\" Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
A group of Indonesian citizens visited the former president at
\nhis room at Harbor Court Hotel.<\/p>\n
The medical checkup will be conducted on Monday and Tuesday.
\nOn Wednesday, the former president will fly back to Jakarta and
\nwill head for his private residence in Ciganjur upon arrival.<\/p>\n
One of Abdurrahman's daughters, Zannuba Arifah Chafsoh Rahman,
\nsaid that during her stay in Baltimore she had bought a lot of
\nbooks, mostly on history and politics, for her father. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-covers-gus-durs-us-trip-expenses-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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