PRESIDENT DISCUSSES FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES WITH STATE INSTITUTION CHIEFS

Bogor, W Java, Jan 21 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met with chiefs of high state institutions here on Thursday to discuss fundamental issues the nation is facing now and to have to deal with in the next five years.
"We exchanged ideas on fundamental issues faced by the state, shared views on the country's problems, which are not always similar from perspectives' point of view, particularly those of basic and fundamental nature that have drawn public attention," the head of state said in a press conference after the meeting.

The main issues discussed at a meeting that lasted for around four hours consist of three which will be the aim of the development efforts in the next five years.

"The first is economic development to improve the people's welfare and all its problems," he said in the company of high state institution chiefs.

The second issue is democracy, which is currently being developed, strengthened and done.

"The third is justice which we certainly have to continuously strengthened to the interest of our people," he said.

He said all parties embarked on the discussion with the initial stance namely despite all the dynamism in politics, in the democratic exercise and statehood national stability has to be maintained.

"Like what is happening now. We can say that the political situation right now is simmering but we think that the national stability has to be maintained both political, security and social stability," he said.

President Yudhoyono said the meeting was held with an aim of building a synergy without interfering the functions, role and tasks of each institution as regulated in the constitution or the laws that elaborate it.

"We also agreed that all parties, all state administrators, including the government must continue to carry out their tasks, obligations and functions because the tasks of developing the country cannot stop despite all the political dynamism," he said.

President Yudhoyono said all had also agreed that in case problems emerged be the political, social, legal or security they would be settled according to the constitution, the laws and other regulations.

"So that it will be contextual and will not cause other complications which are certainly not expected and also not in line with efforts to solve the problems," he said.

The meeting was also attended by vice president Boediono, coordinating minister for people's welfare Agung Laksono, coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Djoko Suyanto, coordinating minister for economic affairs Hatta Radjasa and minister/state secretary Sudi Silalahi.

The chiefs of high state institutions that came to the meeting were Taufiq Kiemas, the chief of the People's Consultative Assembly, Irman Gusman, the chief of the Council of Regional Representatives, Busyro Muqqodas, the chief of the Judicial Comission, Harifin Tumpa, the Supreme Justice, Marzuki Alie, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Hadi Purnomo, the chief of the State Audit Board and Mahfud MD, the chief of the Constitutional Court.