Govt covers Gus Dur's U.S. trip expenses
Govt covers Gus Dur's U.S. trip expenses
JAKARTA (JP): The new government of President Megawati
Soekarnoputri has approved and funded the visit of her
predecessor Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid to the United States, an
official said on Sunday.
A media official at the state secretariat, Indrawadi Tamin,
said in a statement that the government was covering air fares
and accommodation of the former president and his entourage as
well as his medical expenses at John Hopkins Hospital in
Baltimore, Maryland.
"The financial assistance was disbursed after prior approval
of President Megawati Soekarnoputri," the statement said.
The media release was responding to a statement made by head
of presidential protocol affairs Wahyu Muryadi who complained
that the government had not assisted in Abdurrahman's U.S. trip.
Wahyu is among the former president's 13-strong entourage, which
also includes Abdurrahman's wife Sinta Nuriyah and two of their
daughters.
Abdurrahman was ousted in a snap Special Session of People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) last Monday, clearing the way for his
deputy Megawati to take over. The two have not met since.
Departing on Thursday, Abdurrahman arrived in Baltimore for
the medical checkup on Friday (Saturday Indonesia time).
In an interview with Antara ahead of his checkup, Abdurrahman
insisted that the MPR Special Session and its results were
unlawful, but wished Megawati success.
He said he was not disappointed with Megawati's decision to
accept the MPR's offer.
"I was just shocked," Abdurrahman said.
A group of Indonesian citizens visited the former president at
his room at Harbor Court Hotel.
The medical checkup will be conducted on Monday and Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the former president will fly back to Jakarta and
will head for his private residence in Ciganjur upon arrival.
One of Abdurrahman's daughters, Zannuba Arifah Chafsoh Rahman,
said that during her stay in Baltimore she had bought a lot of
books, mostly on history and politics, for her father. (amd)