President Abdurrahman to visit Makassar on Dec. 30

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is slated to visit Makassar on Dec. 30 for a number of events, including a mass prayer and a series of dialogs with representatives of tribespeople, it was announced here on Sunday.

Syamsuddin, head of the information office of the South Sulawesi provincial administration, said in the written statement the President would open a mass prayer named Wirid '99 before holding dialogs with representatives of tribespeople from Sulawesi Besar, Aceh, Ternate, Bima, Irian Jaya and Riau.

The President's entourage will consist of the First Lady Mrs. Sinta Nuriah Abdurrahman and some Cabinet ministers, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwy Sihab, Home Affairs Minister Surjadi Soedirdja and Minister of Industry and Trade Yusuf Kalla, said Syamsuddin.

The stop in Makassar will precede Abdurrahman's planned year- end sojourn to Irian Jaya to see the last sunset of the millennium.

Syamsuddin said Wirid '99, the peak of the 1999 year-end celebrations in Makassar, would feature cultural performances with an Islamic nuance and be attended by envoys from neighboring (predominantly Muslim) countries.

"The theme of the event is: From Makassar We Greet the Third Millennium," Syamsuddin said.

He said the events were well prepared, citing the finishing touch of a floating stage on Losari beach. "Three containers carrying fireworks from Paris have arrived," he added.

According to the schedule, which is already confirmed, the President would talk with the representatives of tribespeople on various national issues on the second day of his visit.

Observers said they expected the dialogs to be very interesting as representatives from riot-torn Ternate, troubled Aceh and Irian Jaya and Riau, which have been seeking independence, would join in.

At the same venue another dialog with the Forum for Communication in an Interreligious Community will also be held. "After the dialogs the President will proceed to the Al Markaz Al Islami Mosque to address a grand gathering, Tablig Akbar, along with thousands of Muslims from all areas in South Sulawesi," Syamsuddin said.

The First Lady is scheduled to meet with local women's organizations and visit handicraft exhibitions.

South Sulawesi Governor HZB Palaguna said that the events would be very lively and attractive. The President had a closeness with the people of Makassar, he said. (27/sur)