Gus Dur to delay trip to Australia

JAKARTA (JP): In observance of the Ramadhan fasting month, beginning later this month, President Abdurrahman will delay his visit to Australia until January, Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said on Tuesday.

"The fasting month of Ramadhan will begin from the end of this month until December ... I told Gus Dur (Abdurrahman's nickname) it would be better (to visit) in January," Alwi told journalists at the presidential palace.

But Alwi confirmed a bilateral ministerial meeting between Indonesia and Australia, scheduled in mid-November, was still on.

Alwi said last month that he, Minister of Trade and Industry Luhut Binsar Panjaitan and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Rizal Ramli would visit Australia on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 to pave the way for Abdurrahman's visit.

Many were surprised when Abdurrahman announced last week that he would go ahead with his visit to Australia at the end of this month as Alwi previously said that the President would not make any overseas trip during the fasting period, set to begin either on Nov. 26 or Nov. 27.

The President's planned visit to Australia has already been delayed several times following strong opposition from the House of Representatives and other political figures.

The President has been sharply criticized for making too many overseas trips and putting global issues before domestic problems.

Ties between Jakarta and Canberra deteriorated sharply last year after Australia led an international peacekeeping force to East Timor after the UN-organized ballot.

Abdurrahman said that during his Australia visit he would raise several issues affecting bilateral ties, including the independence movement in Irian Jaya. (byg)