INDONESIA GEARS UP FOR INAUGURATION OF SEVENTH PRESIDENT by Fardah

    Jakarta, Oct 15, 2014  (Antara) - The newly elected speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan has been busy visiting the country's leaders to extend invitations for the inauguration ceremony of Joko "Jokowi" Widodo as the seventh president.

        The inauguration ceremony is scheduled to be held at the parliament/MPR building, on October 20, 2014, and will be attended by outgoing president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, former presidents, and the leaders of all political parties, among several others.

        Among foreign dignitaries to be present in the inauguration will be Brunei Darussalam's Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Timor Leste's President Xanana Gusmao, Papua New Guinea's Governor General Michael Ogio, Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Haiti's Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot, Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, and former prime minister of Japan and special envoy Yasuo Fukuda.    
      The inauguration will also be attended by US Secretary of State John Kerry, New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully, and the United Kingdom's Foreign Affairs Minister William Hague.

          Jokowi's supporters will hold a post-inauguration procession to escort the new President and Vice-President to the State Palace on horse, on the inauguration day.

          Zulkifli Hasan, a politician of the National Mandate Party (PAN), stated that the preparations for the inauguration ceremony, such as finalizing the guest list, were still underway.

         "The invitations will, indeed, be limited, but the former presidents and vice presidents, heads of ministries, state institutions, and the military (TNI), as well as the police chiefs and representatives from friendly countries will certainly be invited," he noted.

            "All factions have unanimously agreed to attend the inauguration of the president-elect and the vice president-elect and make it a success," MPR Chairman Zulkifli Hasan remarked after meeting the political party factions in Jakarta, on Oct. 13, 2014.

           He revealed that two political party factions and a faction from the Regional Representative Council (DPD) unanimously agreed to attend the inauguration at the parliament building.

           Since his election as the MPR speaker, Zulkifli Hasan has also been busy convincing the Jokowi camp and the media that he will do his best to make the inauguration ceremony a success.

          Lately, the media, quoting the so-called political observers and politicians, has extensively reported about "rumors" that the inauguration would be "sabotaged" or "boycotted" by Jokowis rivals.

          Zulkifli Hasan expressed shock on hearing such rumors and questioned the legitimacy of such reports.

         "No, there will not be any boycott or sabotage, and it is impossible for it to happen," he emphasized after presenting an invitation to Vice President Boediono at the vice presidential office, on Oct. 14, along with MPRs deputy speakers: Oesman Sapta Odang, E.E. Mangindaan, and Mahyudin.

         He called on the media to present news reports that will help to create a peaceful political atmosphere.

          "Claims that the MPR will sabotage the inauguration are untrue. Please publish reassuring reports and not the ones that would provoke disruptions," he remarked.

         The upcoming presidential inauguration will offer Indonesia an opportunity to show the world how ably democracy has been implemented in the country, he affirmed.

         "When it comes to Indonesia's image, all parties stand united," the former forestry minister stated.

         Other leaders such as President Yudhoyono and Army Chief of Staff General Gatot Nurmantyo have also issued statements to put to rest widespread rumors regarding the boycott of the inauguration ceremony.

          "I appeal to all community leaders and political elites to maintain political stability," President Yudhoyono stated on his twitter account on Oct. 10.

         "I do not know where the instigating rumors come from. Perhaps, they are spread to further make the political situation tense," he noted, while referring to the rumors that the inauguration might be disrupted.

          "(They said) by cancelling Joko Widodo's inauguration, SBY (the President) could then extend his term in office. This allegation is too much. I regret that our politics has stooped to this level. It is really not smart and is irresponsible," he remarked.

         He pointed out that it was unfair to accuse him of trying to extend his term, which will end on Oct. 20.

          "The constitution states that a president may only serve two terms. I had fought for it during the early reform movement. I have no intention to extend my term in office even by a day. Ten years of service have been long enough for me to feel grateful," he emphasized.

          "Let us write a new chapter in history by supporting President-elect Joko Widodo for the sake of the nation," he affirmed.

         Yudhoyono's Democratic Party has also voiced its commitment to supporting the inauguration of Jokowi.

          "The Democratic Party will support the national agenda, which is the inauguration of Jokowi as president and Kalla as vice president, and therefore, the people should not be afraid of impeachment issues," the partys Secretary General Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, also known as Ibas, stated.

           Yudhoyono remarked that the Democratic Party harbored no intentions of foiling the presidential inauguration or posing any hindrance to the government of elected President Jokowi and Vice President Kalla.

           Ibas was hopeful that all components of the nation, who were concerned about the future of Indonesia, will ensure that the inauguration of president- and vice president-elect is held smoothly.

          With regard to security during the inauguration, the Indonesian Army has stated that it will adopt all anticipatory measures against any potential threats to security.

           "I am convinced that it will be secured in the similar manner as the earlier implementation of the presidential election," the Army Chief of Staff Gatot Nurmantyo recently informed newsmen at the University of Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta.

         "The TNI always thinks that threats may arise at any time, but this principle is only held for TNIs internal purpose," he pointed out.

          He assured that all army personnel and regional military commands will also be prepared to provide assistance whenever the police seek their help.   "We have already prepared for it," he reiterated.

         General Nurmantyo emphasized that with the successful implementation of the recent elections, the Indonesian people had actually demonstrated to the world their civility, smartness, and peaceful character.

          National Police Chief General Sutarman announced on Oct. 13 that he will deploy 22 thousand personnel to secure the inauguration.

           "To ensure the security of the inauguration, we plan to field some 24 thousand personnel from the police and the military forces," he remarked at the State Palace.

          Sutarman revealed that he will soon gather all the regional police chiefs from across the country and will issue directives on the security measures to be followed before and during the presidential inauguration.

           Deputy National Police Chief Commissioner General Badroedin Haiti also recently assured that maintaining security would remain the main priority of the police during the presidential inauguration.

         The police will tighten security in line with the standard operating procedures to ensure order and security during the event.

           Head of State Intelligence Marciano Norman also gave assurance that peace and order will be maintained during the inauguration.

          "There will be no indications of any disturbances during the inauguration event on Oct. 20," Marciano Norman emphasized.

          However, he called on all parties, including the media, to create a conducive atmosphere ahead of the inauguration day.

          "The media should participate to create a conducive situation," he noted.

         To help a smooth transfer of leadership, President Yudhoyono has invited Jokowi to attend an orientation at the State Palace before the inauguration.

           "President Yudhoyono has invited Jokowi to come for an orientation at the State Palace on Saturday (Oct. 18) or Sunday (Oct. 19)," Coordinating Minister of Economy Chairul Tanjung recently stated.

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