President Yudhoyono to Support Success of Inauguration

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed support for the success of the inauguration of president-elect Joko Widodo and vice president-elect Jusuf Kalla on October 20.

"Pak (Mr) SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) will come earlier to welcome state guests," People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)chairman Zulkifli Hasan said after meeting with the President and Vice President Boediono here on Wednesday along with other members of MPR leadership as well as the leaderships of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representative Council (DPD).

Zulkifli said nine heads of state/government had confirmed their attendance at the ceremony including from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Australia.

Zulkifli said he met with the President to extend an  invitation to the ceremony as well as brief him about his efforts in the past few days to reduce political tension caused by rumors about boycott and others.

"We also expressed thanks to the President for the progress he has achieved during the past ten years of his service," he said.

DPR speaker Setya Novanto and DPD chairman Irman Gusman on the occasion also expressed their gratitude for SBY's leadership in the past years.

President Yudhoyono would hand over his post to Jakarta governor Joko Widodo following the latter's victory in the election on July 9, beating his rival Prabowo Subianto.

President Yudhoyono did not take part in the election as he was not allowed by law because he has held the post for two terms. (WDY)