Religious leaders disappointed at President’s response

Following a four-hour meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday, religious leaders said they were disappointed with his remarks on various problems discussed.

The meeting had not covered any substantial issues, Indonesian Communion of Churches executive secretary Jeirry Sumampuw said Tuesday.

Instead of addressing religious leaders’ concerns, Yudhoyono made defensive remarks about his successes, he said.

“As usual, the President promised to follow up on this,” Jeirry said as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

The President convened the meeting, which lasted until a few minutes after midnight, following last week’s statement of nine prominent religious leaders of five religions that the government had told lies regarding many issues, including the alleviation of poverty and the freedom of religion.

Andreas Yewanggoe, chairman of the communion, said the President had promised to study the matters raised by the communion.

“We will keep asking [for clarification] and monitor these issues,” he said.

Following the meeting, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto said the government welcomed criticism and would look into the matters thoroughly by organizing future meetings between religious leaders and relevant Cabinet members.