Presidential Inauguration Will Run Smoothly: Zulkifli Hasan

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Zulkifli Hasan, on Thursday said he was confident that the inauguration of the new president and vice president on October 20 will be a smooth affair.

"The inauguration is MPR's duty and must be made a success," he said at the parliament building here on Thursday.

Hasan, who is a member of the National Mandate Party (PAN), stated that preparations for the inauguration, 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 police chiefs and representatives from friendly countries will certainly be invited," he added.

With regard to rumors that the MPR would deliberately sabotage the inauguration of President-elect Joko Widodo and Vice- President-elect Jusuf Kalla, Hasan assured that they were untrue.

He also urged the media to present news reports that would help create peace.

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

The Red-White coalition, which supported the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa duo in the presidential election on July 9, successfully won the MPR leadership with its package of candidates, defeating the package proposed by the Great Indonesia coalition of parties led by the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP).

The president-elect belongs to the Great Indonesia coalition.  (WDY)