President to be absent from state activities<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto, who is still mourning the
\nloss of First Lady Mrs. Tien Soeharto, will be absent from all
\nstate activities this week.<\/p>\n
Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono yesterday explained that
\nall state activities involving the President this week will be
\ncanceled or postponed.<\/p>\n
"For seven days from the time of death of the first lady on
\nSunday, the President will not conduct any state activities," he
\nsaid. "President Soeharto and his family are still in mourning.<\/p>\n
"He will not receive any guests and he will be at his
\nresidence on Jl. Cendana." Moerdiono added that emergencies would
\nof course be an exception.<\/p>\n
While at home, the President will continue to receive his
\ndaily correspondence.<\/p>\n
Among the activities which the president will be absent from
\nis tomorrow's commemoration of National Education Day in
\nYogyakarta.<\/p>\n
"The President has instructed Vice President Try Sutrisno to
\ntake his place in the ceremony," Moerdiono said.<\/p>\n
A cabinet meeting on economic, finance, development
\nsupervision, production and distribution scheduled for today will
\nalso be canceled.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono explained that while in Surakarta, Central Java, for
\nthe funeral of Mrs. Tien Soeharto and again yesterday morning
\nhere, the President had asked him to check with the relevant
\nministers.<\/p>\n
"It was evaluated that there were no extremely pressing
\nmatters which needed to be discussed in the cabinet meeting. For
\nthat reason today's cabinet meeting is canceled," Moerdiono
\nannounced.<\/p>\n
He added that while on the airplane back from Surakarta on
\nMonday evening, the President also gave him some brief
\ninstructions on the running of the government.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono further said that the President has decided that he
\nwill be ready to receive a visit by the President of Madagascar
\nAlbert Zafy on May 8 and thus there is no reason for the state
\nguest to postpone his visit.<\/p>\n
While suspending most of his scheduled engagements, Soeharto
\nwill still receive the general election's registration committee
\nthis morning.<\/p>\n
"The President decided that he will fulfill his duty as a
\ncitizen and be registered as a voter," Moerdiono explained.<\/p>\n
Registration of voters for next year's general election begins
\ntoday. Registration teams will visit houses throughout the
\ncountry through May 20 to register prospective voters.<\/p>\n
The committee to visit Soeharto's family will comprise
\nGovernor of Jakarta Surjadi Soedirdja, Central Jakarta Mayor
\nAbdul Kahfi, and Menteng district chief Finondang Simanjuntak.<\/p>\n
Later today the registration committee will also visit the
\nresidence of Vice-President Try Sutrisno to enroll his name as a
\nvoter.<\/p>\n
Speaking of the recent burial ceremony of the First Lady,
\nMoerdiono said he wished to convey his gratitude to everyone who
\nparticipated and helped in the solemn event.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono headed the national committee preparing Ibu Tien's
\nfuneral.<\/p>\n
"I would especially like to convey my highest respect and
\ngratitude to the public who spontaneously lined up to see off the
\nfuneral procession," he said. "It's a display of the people's
\nfinal tribute on this somber occasion." (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/president-to-be-absent-from-state-activities-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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