President SBY starts life at palace
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla began their five-year terms on Wednesday with a busy first day.
After taking the presidential oath, Susilo received guests at the Presidential Palace and inspected his new office. He later held talks with Kalla to finalize the Cabinet lineup, which he announced after 11 p.m.
Susilo also toured his official residence, Merdeka Palace. The President will stay at the Wisma Negara guest house for a time while the palace is renovated. Susilo has a private residence near Bogor, West Java.
Accompanying him during the tour of the palace were Kalla, campaign team members Sudi Silalahi, Djali Jusuf, Andi Mallarangeng and M. Lutfi, and his son Agus Harimurti.
Driving past dozens of student protesters, Susilo arrived at Merdeka Palace at about 11:20 a.m. and spent some 30 minutes in private talks with Kalla.
Susilo then walked to his new office and met with palace staff members, including the secretary to the president, Kemal Munawar, and other household staff.
After spending about three hours in his office, Susilo delivered his first national address, calling on people to remain united behind him and vowing to be a president for the people.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdulah Ahmad Badawi was Susilo's first state guest at the State Palace, and the two leaders discussed various bilateral issues.
Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah joined the two leaders and they broke the fast together at the palace at about 6 p.m.
Susilo ended his first day as President by announcing his Cabinet lineup at Merdeka Palace, underlining his intention to begin work immediately.
His first day in office was also marked by several hiccups, including confusion over the presidential palace staff.
New security arrangements also forced journalists to remain in a waiting room, preventing them from roaming around the compound. The presidential detail had to keep ordering journalists to move away from the president's office.