VP: DON'T RELY TOO MUCH ON FOREIGN LOANS

Maros, S Sulawesi, May 29 (ANTARA) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla said Indonesia should try to be self-reliant and not depend too much on foreign loans.

"Our nation should be built based on the principle of self-reliance and without asking for foreign aid, or relying on foreign loans," the vice president said during the observance of Nahdlatul Ulum Soreang Islamic boarding school's 7th anniversary here on Friday.

Kalla said to become a great nation, Indonesia must work hard in implementing concrete programs under good and self-confident leadership.

The vice president said when he visited a number of regions in the country, he had gained the impression that Bugis/Makassar cultural values had also played a role in regional awakening.

He said the pioneer of National Awakening a hundred years ago was Wahidin Sudirohusodo who was a man of mixed Javanese-Makassar blood.

"The same is true in the case of Sundanese Awakening which was pioneered by Daeng Irwandi who was the son of Sundanese- Bugis/Makassar parents," the vice president said.

He said he was optimistic that under good leadership, through hard work and with the prayers of all Muslim clerics, the nation would have a better life in the future.

Kalla and his entourage arrived in Makassar on Friday morning to attend the Nahdlatul Ulum Soreang Islamic boarding school's anniversary in Maros district, South Sulawesi.

During his visit, the vice president was not accompanied by any of cabinet minister but by House of Representatives members of South Sulawesi origin such as Ali Mochtar Ngabalin and Rafiuddin Hamarung.