Jakarta – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) highlighted four key issues that require the nation's attention in his state speech to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the Indonesian Declaration of Independence in a meeting with the House of Representatives and the Regional Representative Council at the House building in Jakarta on Friday morning, August 16, 2013.
First, the capability in managing the economy amid the uncertain and slowing global economy. Second, the significance of preserving harmony and tolerance. Third, the importance of making the 2014 General Elections and leadership succession a success in peaceful and democratic means. Fourth, the importance of unrelenting efforts in defending the sovereignty and integrity of the United Indonesian Republic (NKRI).
In connection with the government's duty to safeguard the sovereignty and unity of the nation's territories, the president reiterated his administration's commitment to, by all possible means, protecting the sovereignty and integrity of every inch of the nation's land, which is the legitimate and integral part of the United Indonesia Republic (NKRI).
"It is based on that willpower that we will take strict measures against each threat that jeopardizes the sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of Indonesia," the president said in the meeting, which was presided over by Regional Representative Council speaker Irman Gusman.
The president also expressed his gratitude towards God for the cease of conflicts in Aceh, which were resolved peacefully. The president said it was time for the people in Aceh to strive for a better future – a more prosperous, safe, and peaceful one.
On this occasion, the president also called on all parties to refrain from anything that has the potentials to instigate deterioration and cause the nation to backpedal to the unsafe situation in the past.
"I'm calling on all parties, including those in Aceh, with all my heart, to hold tightly to their spirit and sincerity to bury the past conflicts, and move forward to develop ourselves under the United Indonesia Republic (NKRI)," the president said.
In relation to issues in Papua, the president said, the government would continue to prioritize welfare and accelerated development approaches in the province. As to law enforcement and security issues, the president said, the government would take measures with respect to human rights and cultural distinctiveness of the Papuan people.
The president also underscored the central government had been increasing the budget to accelerate and extend the development in Papua. Presently, he said, various development infrastructure programs were still intensively in progress in various regions in Papua.
In addition, he said, the government was also formulating special autonomy plans that could generate added values and breakthroughs for the development and honor of Papua.
President Yudhoyono again emphasized before the meeting with lawmakers of the House of Representatives and the Regional Representatives Council that Aceh and Papua were inseparable parts of the United Indonesia Republic (NKRI). "This stance is final for Indonesia," he stressed.
The president hoped all parties could accept and support this stance. "It is best for all of us, who live inside or outside this country, to desist from any kind of propaganda and provocation that may endanger the sovereignty and integrity of Indonesia," he enthused.
President Yudhoyono said Indonesia had always been respectful of other countries' sovereignty and integrity of other countries, friendly countries. Therefore, he added, Indonesia hoped the same principal could be applied reciprocally.
By this statement, the president appealed to all parties to actively avoid doing political activities that could destabilize the good relationship between Indonesia and friendly countries. "Don't hurt the feelings of Indonesians, because we don't want to hurt other countries' either," he asserted.
The state speech, which was delivered to welcome the 68th anniversary of the Indonesian Declaration of Independence in a meeting with the House of Representatives and the Regional Representative Council, was attended by first lady Hj. Ani Yudhoyono, Vice President Budiono, Mrs. Herawati Boediono, House speaker Marzuki Alie, former president B.J. Habibie, former vice president Hamzah Has, former vice president Jusuf Kalla, chiefs of governmental organizations, ministers of the United Indonesia II Cabinet (KIB II), members of the House of Representatives and the Regional Representative Council, ambassadors of friendly countries, and notables across the nation. (WID/Humas Setkab/ES)