Family of founding president Sukarno to meet SBY soon

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

The family of founding president Sukarno has invited president- elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to meet the family, including his predecessor Megawati Soekarnoputri prior to his inauguration on Oct. 20.

Guruh Soekarnoputra, Megawati's brother, said on Friday he had been assigned by the family to speak with Susilo, who beat Megawati in the Sept. 20 election.

"In the coming few days, the two figures (Megawati and Susilo) are still busy with their duties, making a meeting impossible in the near future. Just wait, because we (Sukarno's family) have arranged a gathering before the Oct. 20 inauguration of Pak Susilo as the country's president," Guruh said attending a meeting between business community and Susilo and his running mate Jusuf Kalla at the Intercontinental Hotel in Central Jakarta.

"We have a long-standing tradition of promoting communication with many respected figures. As Pak Susilo has become one of them, we really want to hear his vision about the country's future."

Susilo since being declared the election victor by the General Elections Commission on Oct. 4, sought a meeting with Megawati to ensure a smooth transition period, but to no avail.

Guruh said the gathering was an informal meeting, refusing to call it a reconciliation forum between Susilo and Megawati.

"There is nothing to reconcile as any form of competition is something which is normal in politics," he said.

Susilo appreciated the invitation.

"I just wish the president may end her term in a good political manner," said Susilo, who visited the grave of Sukarno in Blitar, East Java on Tuesday.

During the transition period, Susilo has expected to consult his predecessor on various issues and strategic policies that his administration should pursue.

Guruh, however, brushed aside the idea, saying "he (Susilo) can learn it by himself."

Speaking before the meeting with the business community, Susilo said he would publicly announce his programs on Oct. 21. He added that during the first cabinet meeting, he would distribute blank papers to all his aides.

"I expect the papers to stay clean until they complete them, without red marks, which denote corruption or other forms of power abuse until they end their term of service," he said.

Susilo refused to disclose his would-be ministers, but a source close to Kalla told The Jakarta Post that the current finance minister Boediono would serve under Susilo's Cabinet.

"Even though Pak Susilo has the prerogative to pick his ministers, but Pak Kalla has advice on eligible ministers for economy and social welfare," the source said.

The source also said former PT Indofood chief executive officer Eva Rianti Hutapea, former minister Erna Witoelar, economist Mari Pangestu and National Awakening Party politician Khofifah Indar Parawansa and Meutia Hatta, a daughter of first vice president Mohammad Hatta, were among female ministerial candidates.