Yudhoyono commends Jusuf Kalla in inaugural speech
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Newly inaugurated President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said former Vice President Jusuf Kalla`s dedication would be remembered always.
In his inaugural speech, President Yudhoyono extended his sincere gratitude to the former vice president and said the latter`s outstanding dedication to the state and nation would never be forgotten.
"I would like to express my gratitude to former Vice President Jusuf Kalla. Your dedication has earned a place in history and will be remembered always in the 2009-2014 United Indonesia Cabinet," President Yudhoyono said in his inaugural address at the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) building.
On hearing President Yudhoyono`s gratitude, Jusuf Kalla, who sat next to new Vice President Boediono, nodded his head and smiled.
President Yudhoyono said that in a democratic system, there was a time to differ in opinion, a time to debate, and a time to unite in building the state and nation.
He said he would continue to pursue independent and active policies in world affairs and cooperate with any nation which had the same goals as Indonesia.
Yudhoyono and Boediono were officially inaugurated as Indonesia`s president and vice president for the 2009-2014 period at a special plenary session of the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) here on Tuesday.
Soon after the inauguration ceremony, President Yudhoyono, in the company of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, was driven to Merdeka Palace in a presidential limousine with license plate number "Indonesia-1."
On the palace`s main stairway, the president and the first lady were welcomed by presidential household special staffers among others Setia Purwaka and Deny Indrayana.
On the occasion, President Yudhoyono was also accompanied by his youngest son, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, and presidential spokesman Andi Malarangeng.
The president is scheduled to receive congratulations from five foreign heads of state at Merdeka Palace at 2 in the afternoon.
The five foreign heads of states who also attended the inauguration ceremony were Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak,
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Brunei Darussalam`s Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah, Timor Leste President Jose Ramos Horta, and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (*)
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PubDate: 10/20/09 14:35
