Yudhoyono said that all parties starting from the President, Pice president, state officials, businessmen, NGOs to the press had to use the power they owned proportionally.

He said in the current democratic era after 1998, power was no longer centered only on the President
or central government, but was also for various circles for the sake of the development of democracy and welfare.

“In my view, whoever holds power, such as the president, vice president, governors, regents, House of Representatives members, and those in political parties, the military and NGOs, should accurately use it, not misuse it,” Yudhoyono said at the commemoration of the National Press Day in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.

Yudhoyono gave his appreciation to the press for its role in helping move forward democracy and national development.

“The press has actively participated in advancing the nation’s lives, developing democracy and controlling the government and its power. These three contributions by the press will surely be very beneficial in guarding the state’s life, not only in the correct direction, but also to achieve better results,” Yudhoyono said.

At the commemoration ceremony, three Indonesian press figures who are also senior journalists — Jakob Oetama (Kompas daily), Sabam Siagian (The Jakarta Post) and Fikri Jufri (Tempo) — were given Prime Card Awards from the Press Council for their dedication to the journalistic world for more than 30 years.

The three figures were considered for the cards in line with existing regulations on journalists’ competence standards, which are effective starting this year.

The cards were presented to Sabam and Fikri by Bagir Manan, the council’s chairman. Jakob was not present at the ceremony.

His card will be handed to him in Jakarta.

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