Kamis 14 Mar 2013 20:00 WIB

SBY talks about his successor with retired generals

Rep: Esthi Maharani/Satya Festiani/ Red: Yeyen Rostiyani

Foto: Antara/Prasetyo Utomo

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) meets some retired generals at the presidentil office in Jakarta on Wednesday.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is busy with the agenda of meeting several retired generals this week. He held a meeting on Wednesday with seven retired generals who currently involved in politics.

Among the invited guests is former commander of Detachment 81 of Special Forces Command (Kopassus) who is actively involved in Golkar Party Luhut Panjaitan. Others are former Chief of Staff of Indonesian Army Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo, former Deputy Chief of Armed Forces Fahrul Rozi and former Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces Suaidi Marabessy from People's Conscience (Hanura) Party. The remaining are former Chief of Territorial Staff of Armed Forces Agus Widjojo and Johny Josephus and also former commander of Education and Training Command Sumardi.

Luhut Panjaitan admitted that he knew the agenda after the two-hour closed meeting was being held. "SBY was talking about his successor and the agenda for 2014, which is legislative and presidential elections," Panjaitan said on Wednesday.

Panjaitan said the next president must be able to take advantage of SBY leadership, particularly on economic growth. He said economic growth was one of SBY's success. His successor is expected to continue the momentum.

SBY also told his guests about the current political, economic and international relations condition. SBY identified several unfinished problems that became the homework for the upcoming president.

Panjaitan hopes SBY can play a role in seeking his successor. "But, of course in a democratic way," he said.

Before meeting the seven commanders, SBY met with former commander of Kopassus who is currently chief patron of the Great Indonesia Movement Party, Prabowo Subianto, on Monday. Subianto said that they were talking about politics towards 2014 General Election. "We want a change. We maintain the peace atmosphere for everyone through communication between government's and political leaders," he said.

Subianto, who is SBY's friend during military college, confirmed that he wanted to become the successor of SBY. "But, it is up to people," he said.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman, Julian Aldrin Pasha, said president always maintained political communication with the figures. "The president often invites and receives several figures," he said.