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)