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resident Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono is scheduled to inaugurate the Gong Perdamaian peace monument in Taman Nostalgia on Jl. El Tari II, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Tuesday.

The monument, which is said to be a tribute to the public’s wish for ever-lasting peace in the country, is encircled by 444 regency and mayoralty emblems, while the emblems of the 33 provinces are set into its middle section.

Kupang municipal secretary Habde Adrianus Dami said on Monday that Yudhoyono would also inaugurate a “Smart House” in Naioni subdistrict, Alak District in Kupang.

Yudhoyono’s entourage, which includes First Lady Kristiani Herawati and 21 Cabinet ministers as well as the National Police chief and Indonesian Military (TNI) commander-in-chief, will be in NTT until Friday.

His planned agenda includes attending National Press Day celebrations to be held at El Tari Hall at the NTT governor’s office. The President will then travel 400 kilometers over land to Atambua.

During his visit to Atambua regency, which borders Timor Leste, the President is scheduled to conduct an inspection of the border area and visit the 744/Satria Yudha Bhakti battalion, which Yudhoyono commanded from 1986 to 1988 when East Timor was still part of Indonesia.

On Monday, Udayana Military commander Maj. Gen. Rachmat Budiyanto led security preparations involving more than 1,000 TNI troops and police and public order police personnel.

Rachmat expected that every member of the community create a peaceful and conducive situation during the visit. The troop parade was carried out to anticipate terror acts and rallies during the visit to West Timor, NTT.

“We will immediately coordinate to take the necessary measures if a situation arises,” Rachmat said.

Separately, NTT Anti Imperialism-Neoliberalism People’s Front held a rally on Jl. Soeharto, about a kilometer from the governor’s official residence, where Yudhoyono will stay for two days.

The protesters rejected Yudhoyono’s visit and urged the public to unite in the protest. In their press statement, the protesters, consisting of 22 student groups and members of the public, demanded Yudhoyono step down. They said he was a puppet of the West.

“Under his regime, Yudhoyono has intentionally brought Indonesia to total failure. He has failed to build political sovereignty, economic independence and national dignity,” rally coordinator James Faot said.

“This is what we call Indonesia’s project for destruction as a sovereign nation which has gained independence.”