PRESIDENT ASKS GOVT OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT SCOUT MOVEMENT

Jakarta, Aug 14 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ordered on Friday all central and regional government officials to support and facilitate the scout movement.

"I want all sides to give their contributions...to assist and facilitate the scout movement... to help it with all resources not only funds but also the other to enable it to make progress in the future," he said at a function marking the 48th anniversary of the Scout Day in Cibubur, East Jakarta.

Yudhoyono, who is also chief of the scout movement's national advisory council said the scout movement played an increasingly important role and therefore, all sides needed to promote it.

He also underscored the need for the Indonesian nation to keep unity and awaken in pursuit of a better future.

Now was the time for the entire nation to reunite to develop the nation after the country held the parliamentary and presidential elections this year, he said.

On the occasion, the president conferred Lencana Melati awards on a number of ministers and governors in recognition of their meritorious services in promoting the scout movement.

The awards went to National Education Minister Bambang Soedibyo and State Enterprises Minister Sofyan Djalil as well as to the East Kalimantan, East Java, Bangka Belitung and Maluku governors.

The scout movement also awarded "Jasmine Badge" to Malaysian chief minister Sri Ali Rustam and Philippine scout movement secretary general Jose Rizal C Pangilinan.

The anniversary commemoration brought together some 3,000 boy and girl scouts from Jakarta, Banten and West Java.