PRESIDENT: DON'T HAMPER NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Jakarta, Aug 18 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said national development should not be blocked or hampered.

Speaking at a gathering with around 2,000 national role models of various disciplines at the Hall D of Kemayoran Jakarta Fair ground here on Tuesday, the President said all parties should participate in the national development.

"All people of Indonesia should participate in national development. Do not block or hamper it," the president said, adding that the active participation in development was the best attitude of all people.

According to the head of state, all national elements should unite to develop the nation.

He said Indonesia should move forward after struggling to fight various crises that had hit the country.

"Together, let us build our state, nation, the regions, and the people to attain a prosperous future," the president said.

On the occasion, the head of state also asked all parties to leave behind their general election differences and enmities and reunite to develop the nation together.

He said it was time for all people of Indonesia from all political parties to reunite and leave behind all the differences and hostilities that came up during the recent presidential election.

"It is now time for us to reunite and rebuild harmony among neighbors, friends, and all," the head of state said.

In the gathering with the national models across the country, President Yudhoyono was accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and a number of cabinet ministers among others Minister/State Secretary Hatta Radjasa, State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault, and Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari.

Present in the gathering were the model of subdistrict heads, the students with outstanding achievement in international scientific Olympiad, teachers, and other civil servants from the National Education Ministry, Home Affairs Ministry, Health Ministry, and Forestry Ministry.