'I want all religious celebrations..to be peaceful'

Jakarta, NU Online
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked security officials to ensure security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.<>

"I want all religious celebrations, whether it is for Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or followers of Confucius, to be peaceful and without any security disturbances," the President stated at the Halilm Perdanakusma military airbase, before departing for Tokyo on Thursday morning.

The President also called on security officials to be on their guard against certain parties, who would probably take advantage of the momentum of Christmas and the New Year, to disturb the security situation.

"It is a political year and we have felt an escalating political climate in our country. Therefore, I urge all political elite and politicians to exercise self restraint," he noted.

To anticipate unwanted happenings, the head of state encouraged security and law enforcement officials to work extra hard to ensure security.

"I have received a report from the National Police Chief about the plans of certain elements to disturb security and order at certain places," the President said as quoted by republika.co.id.

President Yudhoyono left Jakarta on Thursday morning for Tokyo, Japan, to attend a commemoration to mark the 40th anniversary of the cooperation between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"During a summit meeting that will take place in Tokyo on Saturday, we want to strengthen and expand our cooperation in various fields," President Yudhoyono said.

The President added that one of the agenda for the meeting would be to step up efforts aimed at the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Special Staff for International Relations Teuku Faizasyah stated that the commemoration would impart momentum to both sides and help forge a shared vision for long-term cooperation.

"As the two countries have established a strategic partnership, Indonesia and Japan will certainly gain a lot of benefits by the strengthening of the Japan-ASEAN friendship," Faizasyah noted.

He added that in addition to attending the meeting, the President will also meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Emperor Akihito.

"The meeting between President Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo this time will be the fourth of its kind and will reflect not only propinquity, but also commitment towards further advancing bilateral cooperation in various fields," he said.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq