President's report to MPR finalized, approved by Gus Dur
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)