REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SAMPANG -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has met with the Sunni-Shiite Reconciliation Team in Sampang on the island of Madura, East Java, on Wednesday.

The informal meeting with the reconciliation team, led by Abd A'la, was the first meeting of the president on his two-day working visit to the island.

The president was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Djoko Susilo, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono, Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan, Education and Culture Minister M. Nuh, National Police chief General Sutarman and the chief of the defense forces (TNI), General Moeldoko.

The president also held a lunch meeting with Islamic clerics and the community leaders of Sampang.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said the President, at the meeting, had been keen to know how the reconciliation process is progressing.

He pointed out that the President and other officials continue to make efforts to resolve the friction between Sunni and Shiite followers in Sampang.

"The government continues to seek a proper solution to end the conflict. Hopefully, the Madurese people share that view," he added.

President Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono arrived at the Sampang district building at 1 p.m., where they were welcomed by Sampang district head A. Fannan Hasib, as well as several clerics and community leaders.

After the meeting, President Yudhoyono and his entourage are scheduled to leave for the district of Sumenep, also on the island.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika