Erwida Maulia and Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar | Mon, 03/15/2010 9:12 AM
Indonesia is upbeat its relationship with the US remains on firm ground although President Barack Obama has reportedly canceled his plan to bring First Lady Michelle and his two daughters here.
Indonesia presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said Obama’s plan to bring his family along
would have added a “sentimental” nuance to the two countries’ relationship.
On Friday, an anonymous senior US administration official reportedly said that Obama would not bring his family along with him because his trip to Indonesia, Guam and Australia had been delayed from March 18-24 to March 21-26.
The new schedule unfortunately no longer coincided with the spring vacation of his two daughters.
Obama wanted to bring his family on his visit to Jakarta to show them the place where he spent part of his childhood.
“Not really,” Indonesia Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told The Jakarta Post when asked whether Indonesia was anticipating the visit less because of the absence of Obama’s family.
“Our priority is the comprehensive partnership. Indonesia and the US have a good relationship.
“Without the element of the family of course the nuances will be different. Nevertheless the most important substance is the comprehensive partnership and we’ll still focus on that,” he added.
Teuku said the US administration has officially notified the Indonesian government about the delay.
Indonesia and the US will be finalizing the agendas in the next couple of days, Teuku said. President Obama may also visit Bali.
Ron Muller, chairman of the Friends of Obama Foundation, which unites school mates of the US president in Indonesia, said he believed Obama would bring his family next time.
He said the foundation would still organize a “Welcome Home, Obama” party on March 17 to celebrate his visit to Indonesia.
Although the planned visit has invoked enthusiasm among Indonesians in general, some militant groups are rejecting it.
Islamic group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), plans to stage rallies to demonstrate its opposition.
On Sunday they staged rallies in Makassar, Banda Aceh, Banjarmasin and Surabaya.
“Obama did spend part of his childhood in Indonesia, but he doesn’t support Indonesia’s interests,” Nasruddin, head of the group’s South Sulawesi branch, said.
“Obama is no different than previous US presidents, who destroyed Muslim countries.” he added.
Teuku said objections to the US President’s visit should be respected in a democratic Indonesia.
Besides, he said, many more people will welcome Obama.
