Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he appreciated Golkar's decision to suspend nominating a presidential candidate until after the 2009 legislative election to allow it to concentrate on accomplishing the government's economic programs.

"If other political parties take a similar way to what Golkar is doing in respect of governance ethics, we will pay more time to working for the people and for the nation's better future," he said in his address at the closing ceremony of Golkar's three-day leadership meeting here Sunday.

The President said it was unfortunate that many parties have been busy with other things, including presidential candidates and coalitions, despite the fact that the general election was still one and half years away. He said the nation had wasted too much time and energy on unproductive matters and conflicts.

Yudhoyono said parties and democracy were only means to reach common goals, namely building the nation, improving the people's social welfare and maintaining the nation's dignity.

"Our common problem is to reduce the poverty and unemployment rate. The solution comes not from the sky but from our hard work," he said. "We must work harder to do something for the nation."

The Golkar leadership meeting was closed with the celebration of its 43rd anniversary, during which the party presented awards to figures regarded as contributing the most to the party as well as the nation. Recipients of the awards included former Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung, former state secretary Moerdiono, former Papua governor Izaac Hindom and pop singer Titiek Puspa.

Also attending the ceremony were leaders of other parties, ambassadors and delegates of major parties in Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, India and China.

Golkar chairman Jusuf Kalla, who is also the vice president, stressed the importance of hard work to reach the government's targeted programs, saying Golkar should show its political commitment to contributing something to the nation.

"The general election is important but more important is achieving progress. The election also has to make progress for the nation," he said.

Golkar has said it will only announce its presidential candidate after the legislative election and will not hold a party convention to select the candidates.

The largest party at the House of Representatives is also committed to supporting the current administration while asking the government to increase the budget for education to 20 percent of the State Budget as mandated by the 1945 Constitution.