Presidential Office Deplores NGO's Decision to Not Attend Democracy Forum

Tampak Siring, Bali (Antara Bali) -- Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha has expressed disappointment over the decision of a few non-governmental organizations to not attend the 7th Bali Democracy Forum to be held on October 10 and 11.    

"We know why the NGOs that have been invited will not be present, but their decision is disappointing," he said while accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his working visit to Bali here on Wednesday.

Eleven NGOs have declined to participate in the Bali Democracy Forum in protest against the passage of the law on regional elections, which allows the election of provincial governors, district heads and city mayors indirectly through legislative assemblies (DPRD) instead of directly by the people as has been implemented so far.

President Yudhoyono has received a lot of criticism following the passage of the law, which followed the Democratic Party's decision to walk out of the vote.

According to the NGOs, the Bali Democracy Forum, which is based on the theme of "Evolving Regional Democratic Architecture: The Challenge of Political Development, Public Participation and Socio-Economic Progress in the 21st Century" this year, is meant to serve as an image-building event following the passage of the law.

Three heads of states, the President of Philippines Benigno Aquino III, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor Leste and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, are expected to attend the event, which will be inaugurated by President Yudhoyono.

The Bali Democracy Forum was initiated by Indonesia in 2008 to promote and encourage regional and international cooperation in the fields of peace and democracy.

The 7th forum this year will be the last to be inaugurated by President Yudhoyono as he will be handing over the post to Joko Widodo, the winner of the presidential election on July 9, on October 20.

Yudhoyono served as the Indonesian president for two terms. (WDY)