Spokesman defends Yudhoyono’s buffalo stance
Erwida Maulia, The Jakarta Post, Cipanas, West Java | Wed, 02/03/2010 9:52 PM
Spokesman defends Yudhoyono’s buffalo stance
Erwida Maulia
The Jakarta Post/Cipanas, West Java
In defense of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s complaints on Tuesday of “uncivilized” rallies, presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said Indonesians indeed needed to respect the President as a “symbol of the nation”.
Julian told reporters in Cipanas, West Java, on Wednesday that it was ironic that Yudhoyono gained respect while abroad but was not “appreciated” in his home country.
Yudhoyono had bemoaned protesters’ failure to carry out “civilized” demonstrations to mark the new government's first 100 days in office on Jan. 28, when thousands of people rallied in Jakarta.
Indonesia needed a better perspective of its democracy, he said during a work meeting with Cabinet ministers and 33 governors, at Cipanas State Palace. Yudhoyono one group of protesters who had compared him to a buffalo, called him a thief, and burned pictures of him.
“Is this freedom of expression? They stepped on and burned pictures? We have to think clearly and have to save our democracy, culture and civilization,” Yudhoyono said while opening the meeting.
The statements made headlines in several local newspapers, with critics saying he overreacted.
However, Julian said Yudhoyono had acted normally, and that it was important for the public to respect him.
“Paying little respect to our national symbols will only have negative consequences for [Indonesia] at an international level,” he said.
Citing an example of the respect Yudhoyono gained from overseas, Julian said tomorrow he would receive an award from Hong Kong, although he declined to mention the institution granting the award or what it was for.
In defense of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s complaints on Tuesday of “uncivilized” rallies, presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said Indonesians indeed needed to respect the President as a “symbol of the nation”.
Julian told reporters in Cipanas, West Java, on Wednesday that it was ironic that Yudhoyono gained respect while abroad but was not “appreciated” in his home country.
Yudhoyono had bemoaned protesters’ failure to carry out “civilized” demonstrations to mark the new government's first 100 days in office on Jan. 28, when thousands of people rallied in Jakarta.
Indonesia needed a better perspective of its democracy, he said during a work meeting with Cabinet ministers and 33 governors, at Cipanas State Palace. Yudhoyono one group of protesters who had compared him to a buffalo, called him a thief, and burned pictures of him.
“Is this freedom of expression? They stepped on and burned pictures? We have to think clearly and have to save our democracy, culture and civilization,” Yudhoyono said while opening the meeting.
The statements made headlines in several local newspapers, with critics saying he overreacted.
However, Julian said Yudhoyono had acted normally, and that it was important for the public to respect him.
“Paying little respect to our national symbols will only have negative consequences for [Indonesia] at an international level,” he said.
Citing an example of the respect Yudhoyono gained from overseas, Julian said tomorrow he would receive an award from Hong Kong, although he declined to mention the institution granting the award or what it was for.
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|