COORDINATING MINISTER REPRESENTS PRESIDENT IN HANDING OVER ASSISTANCE

Pangkep, S Sulawesi, March 12 (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie represented President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in handing over assistance under the National Self-reliant Community Empowerment Program (PNPM) in South Sulawesi on Thursday.
The PNPM assistance provided by the government for 24 districts/municipalities in South Sulawesi province amounted to Rp466.27 billion.
It was initially scheduled that the functions which were held in the headquarters of South Sulawesi's Semen Tonasa cement factory, would be attended by President Yudhoyono and Mrs Ani Yudhoyono, but the president asked the coordinator minister to represent him.
"We arrived at the airport together but after having lunch and a noon prayer, the president had a stomach problem and now he is being treated by the doctors," he said.
The functions were initially scheduled to be started at 1.30 pm local time but were delayed until 2 pm.
In the meantime, presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said that the President upon his arrival here, got a stomach problem. "Earlier, we waited for 30 minutes until one hour, but he has not recovered yet," he said.
President Yudhoyono later assigned Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie to represent him in inaugurating a number of projects in the province.
"Until now, he has not recovered yet. But, there is nothing serious.The president wanted to attend the programs personally, if he recovered. However, the doctors know his condition better and they have advised him to take a rest," Andi Mallarangen said.
On behalf of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Aburizal Bakrie inaugurated twelve completed development projects.
The commissioned projects included the Rp206-billion Ponre-ponre Dam, the US$45-million Sengkang Gas-fired Power Plant in Wajo district, drinking water purification facilities in the districts of Toraja, Takalar, Jeneponto, and Bulukumba.
He also dedicated a high-rise housing block in Mariso, Daya, a Muhammadiyah university, the Pankajene-II bridge, and the Celebes Convention Center Ballroom building in Makassar.