President to be absent from state activities

President to be absent from state activities

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto, who is still mourning the
loss of First Lady Mrs. Tien Soeharto, will be absent from all
state activities this week.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono yesterday explained that
all state activities involving the President this week will be
canceled or postponed.

"For seven days from the time of death of the first lady on
Sunday, the President will not conduct any state activities," he
said. "President Soeharto and his family are still in mourning.

"He will not receive any guests and he will be at his
residence on Jl. Cendana." Moerdiono added that emergencies would
of course be an exception.

While at home, the President will continue to receive his
daily correspondence.

Among the activities which the president will be absent from
is tomorrow's commemoration of National Education Day in
Yogyakarta.

"The President has instructed Vice President Try Sutrisno to
take his place in the ceremony," Moerdiono said.

A cabinet meeting on economic, finance, development
supervision, production and distribution scheduled for today will
also be canceled.

Moerdiono explained that while in Surakarta, Central Java, for
the funeral of Mrs. Tien Soeharto and again yesterday morning
here, the President had asked him to check with the relevant
ministers.

"It was evaluated that there were no extremely pressing
matters which needed to be discussed in the cabinet meeting. For
that reason today's cabinet meeting is canceled," Moerdiono
announced.

He added that while on the airplane back from Surakarta on
Monday evening, the President also gave him some brief
instructions on the running of the government.

Moerdiono further said that the President has decided that he
will be ready to receive a visit by the President of Madagascar
Albert Zafy on May 8 and thus there is no reason for the state
guest to postpone his visit.

While suspending most of his scheduled engagements, Soeharto
will still receive the general election's registration committee
this morning.

"The President decided that he will fulfill his duty as a
citizen and be registered as a voter," Moerdiono explained.

Registration of voters for next year's general election begins
today. Registration teams will visit houses throughout the
country through May 20 to register prospective voters.

The committee to visit Soeharto's family will comprise
Governor of Jakarta Surjadi Soedirdja, Central Jakarta Mayor
Abdul Kahfi, and Menteng district chief Finondang Simanjuntak.

Later today the registration committee will also visit the
residence of Vice-President Try Sutrisno to enroll his name as a
voter.

Speaking of the recent burial ceremony of the First Lady,
Moerdiono said he wished to convey his gratitude to everyone who
participated and helped in the solemn event.

Moerdiono headed the national committee preparing Ibu Tien's
funeral.

"I would especially like to convey my highest respect and
gratitude to the public who spontaneously lined up to see off the
funeral procession," he said. "It's a display of the people's
final tribute on this somber occasion." (mds)