PRESIDENT OPENS APKASI CONFERENCE

Jakarta, April 29 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono opened the 3rd national conference of the All-Indonesia Association of District Administrations APKASI) at the State Palace here on Wednesday.

Present at the opening ceremony were also Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo AS, Minister/State Secretary Hatta Radjasa, Communication and Information Minister Muammad Nuh, Law and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalata, and National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Gen Djoko Santoso.

The conference is held to revise APKASI's statute and organizational rules in addition to electing an executive board for the 2009-2013 period.

In his address, APKASI chairman MP Tumanggor said the association was established on May 30, 2000 in an effort to create a common perception of regional development.

A number of cabinet ministers attending the conference would also give their inputs and explanations on current national problems that need to be followed up by district governments.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto said regional autonomy was a national agenda to step up regional development and to make regional development move in a positive direction.

"Therefore, cooperation among district administrations plays an important role in the realization of people's welfare," Mardiyanto said.