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)