President's report to MPR finalized, approved by Gus Dur
JAKARTA (JP): Aides to President Abdurrahman Wahid said the presidential annual report to the People's Consultative Assembly has been finalized and will be read on Monday by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Minister of Mines and Energy Lt. Gen. (ret.) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono disclosed on Friday that the President, after intensive consultation with Megawati, has approved the final draft.
The final discussions on it were reportedly held between Abdurrahman, Megawati and Susilo at Merdeka Palace on Thursday evening.
The speech itself was prepared by a special team, which was comprised of several experts and officials including Susilo, after receiving reports from all ministers and heads of related state agencies.
But Susilo was vague on the contents of the speech.
"The content of the speech is in line with the main agenda and priorities of the government over the last 10 months. The critical issues we are facing, what we have achieved and what we must still continue to do in the next year," the minister said after meeting with the President at Merdeka Palace on Friday.
Susilo said the written speech would outline the Cabinet's fundamental achievements since October and detail its targets over the next year.
"The President himself will convey an opening remark and in his oral commentary the President of course will select what is most essential to be conveyed directly to the Assembly and to the people," Susilo said.
According to Susilo the President had agreed to avoid specific details and just touch on general affairs to avoid unnecessary controversy.
Megawati is expected to need about one-hour to read the speech.
The presidential progress report will mark the opening, and probably the highlight, of the Assembly's 10-day session. The 11 factions in the Assembly will convey on Tuesday their official comments on the President's report.
Birthday
Meanwhile, on Friday morning the First Family went to Cipanas Presidential Palace, about 75-kilometers south of here, to celebrate the President's 60th birthday.
"We chose Cipanas just to avoid too many guests coming because this is only a simple thanksgiving party," said the President.
Assisted by their four daughters, First Lady Sinta Nuriyah led the ceremony, which was attended by close relatives, family friends, and some Cabinet members.
The guests included Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab, Muhammdiyah executive Malik Fadjar, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi, State Minister of Research and Technology A.S. Hikam and Jakarta Bishop Cardinal Julius Darmoatmodjo.
The main menu, included deer satay, and traditional Sundanese food.
Wahyu Muryadi, head of the presidential protocol bureau, said Megawati could not come as scheduled due to her tight schedule.
"Ibu Mega is quite busy today," Wahyu explained.
In the evening the President watched a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) show at the Jakarta Playhouse, Central Jakarta.
The show was sponsored by Nina Akbar, the wife of the House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung.
The President had earlier in the afternoon been scheduled to meet with representatives of the Papuan Presidium Council.
However, according to Presidential Press Bureau Chief Dharmawan Ronodipuro, the Papuan leaders unilaterally canceled the meeting without an official reason.
"They just said they could not come without any explanation," said Dharmawan.(prb/byg)