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EDAN: A group termed the Batak Youth rallied in front of the North Sumatra City Council building to protest a plan to award President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono the title of “Batak King”.

The group’s leader, Batler Situmorang, said the President did not deserve the title because the decision had not involved Batak society. He also said the granting of the venerated title was made based on the interests of former reform minister TB Silalahi.

“TB Silalahi should not sell the Batak people to SBY. Batak culture is being used by political parties for their own interests,” he said, as quoted by Antara news portal.

President Yudhoyono will receive the title of Batak King during the inauguration of a Batak museum in Balige, Toba Samosir regency, North Sumatra, on Tuesday. — JP