Yudhoyono Meets Japanese Businessmen

Kyoto (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono assured continued cooperation with Japan in a meeting with the country's businessmen during his visit to Japan on Monday.  

The outgoing president stated President-elect Joko Widodo will continue to increase cooperation between the two countries that has developed favorably over the years.

"I have met President-elect Jokowi (Joko Widodo) and have informed him about the ties we have developed with friendly countries and expressed hope for the continuation of the cooperation. Fukuda and I would also continue to cooperate to further develop the economic cooperation between Indonesia and Japan," he remarked while receiving a Japanese business delegation led by former prime minister Yosuo Fukuda.

President Yudhoyono emphasized that the relations between the two countries have continued to grow since the 1960s.

"Certainly, Indonesia, with its growing economy, will not forget its friends from Japan that have so far invested in the country," he stressed.

He stated that in line with the national economic growth, the middle class in Indonesia has also increased, and this will certainly create an economic potential and increase the country's capability to invest in Japan.

After receiving the Japanese businessmen, President Yudhoyono flanked by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono are scheduled to leave for Indonesia in the evening and are expected to arrive early on Tuesday morning.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha noted that after arriving in the country, President Yudhoyono will consult with the Constitutional Court chief justice and other justices in connection with the recent passage of the bill on regional elections by the House of Representatives (DPR).

He remarked that the president was keen to gain an insight about the constitutional aspect of Article 20 of the 1945 Constitution regarding agreement on the bill by the government and the DPR.

Due to the passage of the bill, the current direct system of election of provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors by the people will be changed to the indirect system of elections by regional legislative assemblies.

President Yudhoyono has received much flak after his Democrat Party staged a walk-out before the vote that was finally won by proponents of the indirect system such as the Golkar Party, the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the United Development Party (PPP), and the Nation Mandate Party (PAN).

Jokowi's Indonesia Democratic Party (PDIP) voted for the direct system along with the Nation Awakening Party (PKB) and the People's Conscience Party (Hanura). (WDY)