President Abdurrahman to visit Makassar on Dec. 30
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)