President visits his hometown

President visits his hometown

JOMBANG, East Java (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid said here
on Saturday that Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri would for
the moment handle problems relating to Ambon, Irian Jaya and
Riau.

"She will deal with such difficult things," he said jokingly
at an unofficial gathering at the Mamba'ul Ma'arif Islamic
boarding school in Denanyar, Jombang.

Ethnic and religious clashes have haunted Ambon since January
this year. Former president Habibie's administration was widely
regarded as being too slow to respond to the deaths of hundreds
of people.

In Irian Jaya, locals have continued to stage protests in
response to rights violations in the easternmost province. Many
people have also been killed in incidents which are yet to be
properly investigated.

Meanwhile, locals in Riau have maintained their demands to
separate from the Republic of Indonesia.

"I'll take care of any problems relating to Aceh, economic
development and food and marine issues," Abdurrahman said.

Achenese people, with their long history of rights violations
and claims of genocide, have asked the government for a
referendum in the restive province. They have also demanded that
Islamic law be applied in the province.

The President said that a ministry for marine development and
exploitation would soon be established. "We have rich seas, but
our Navy is poor, so that somebody else has robbed our seas. It's
time to build a stronger Navy," he said.

"Seventy-five percent of our country is sea, but we have not
properly managed and exploited it," said Abdurrahman Wahid, who
is better known as Gus Dur.

Abdurrahman said that with a stronger Navy, Indonesia, which
is the world's largest archipelago, would regain its former
reputation as a great maritime nation.

He said Indonesia would return to its glorious maritime days
as evidenced in the fine traditions of the old Bugis (Makassar,
South Sulawesi), Aceh, Tarumanegara kingdom (West Java), Jepara
(Central Java) and Dipatiunus (Demak, Central Java).

Jombang is the President's hometown, and the visit was also
the occasion for a big family reunion.

The President and First Lady Sinta Nuriyah made devotional
visits to the graves of Hasyim Asy'ari and Wahid Hasyim in the
vicinity of the Tebu Ireng Islamic boarding school.

Hashim Asy'ari was the founding father of Nahdlatul Ulama,
currently chaired by Abdurrahman, while Wahid Hasyim was the
father of the new President.

East Java Governor Imam Utomo, Indonesian Military (TNI)
commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizad Ryacudu and East Java Police chief
Maj. Gen. Moch. Dayat greeted the President.

Abdurrahman's younger brother, Silahuddin Wahid, who is also
chairman of the Muslim Community Awakening Party (PKU), was also
in the entourage.

In comparison to security arrangements for other Indonesian
presidents, security for the President's visit was comparatively
relaxed.

The scheduled arrival time was changed three times. The
President was initially scheduled to arrival at 11 p.m. The time
was changed to 3:30 p.m., but was put back to 1:30 p.m, before
helicopters carrying the President and his entourage landed at
2:45 p.m.

Abdurrahman visited his mother-in-law who lives on Jl. Juanda
before heading for the Mamba'ul Ma'arif Islamic boarding school
where he revealed the short term tasks for the nation's
leadership team.

After visiting his ancestor's graves, Abdurrahman headed for
the family's home in Denanyar, also in Jombang, where he stayed
for approximately one hour.

Central Java

Hours before the hometown visit, the President made his first
head of state trip to Kajen village in Pati regency, Central
Java.

Three helicopters landed the President's entourage at a soccer
field in Ngemplak Lor village, some two kilometers away from
Kajen. The President was then taken by car to visit the graves of
local Muslim figures.

Central Java Governor Mardiyanto, military commander Maj. Gen.
Bibit Waluyo and police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi, as well as
thousands of Muslim students, greeted Indonesia's fourth
President, who is also a kyai (Muslim leader).

President Abdurrahman returned on Saturday to Jakarta and is
scheduled to be in Bali today.

Vice President Megawati was reported earlier to be planning a
weekend visit to Bali. A source close to her said from Bali that
the plan was canceled for unknown reasons. (nur/har/sur)