Domestic problems greet Susilo

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Upon arriving back from his first long overseas trip on Tuesday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono immediately addressed a number of domestic issues, ranging from security problems in Aceh to the recent violent protest over a dump in Jonggol, Bogor, West Java.

The President summoned Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Cabinet members to Halim Perdanakusuma airport as soon as he arrived to brief him on developments at home while he was attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Santiago.

"I see there are (four) issues that I need to give immediate responses to, which is why I asked for immediate reports upon my arrival," the President told a press conference at the airport.

The domestic issues in question were the investigation into the death from arsenic poisoning of human rights activist Munir, the investigation into the pileup on the Jagorawi toll road that killed six people before the presidential motorcade passed last week, public protests against the opening of a waste processing site in Bojong, and his planned visit to Aceh within the coming two days.

It is somewhat unusual for an Indonesian president to call a press conference specifically to address domestic issues upon arriving home from an overseas trip. Former presidents normally held such press conferences before flying back to Jakarta.

The media conference raised questions over communications between the President and his ministers at home.

A powerful earthquake that killed over 30 people in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara, also took place while he was away.

"Regarding Munir's death, the Indonesian government promises to keep the investigation transparent and accountable. Those who are guilty will face sanctions," the President said.

He did not respond to demands from rights activists, which have been supported by the House of Representatives, for the establishment of an independent team to probe Munir's death.

Susilo said his plan to visit Aceh was part of the government's efforts to seek a peaceful solution to the continuing conflict in the natural resource-rich province. He added that the extension of the state of civil emergency there was only part of an overall solution.

"I will hold talks with the Acehnese to convince them that we are preparing for a peaceful solution for the province," he said.

Susilo announced the extension of the civil emergency in the province just before he left the country for the APEC summit last week.

Departing from his normal custom, the President did not give journalists an opportunity to ask questions after the press conference.