Domestic problems greet Susilo
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.