President always wanting to communicate directly with public

Antara News, Sat, February 19 2011

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is actually always trying to spend more time on dialogs and meetings with all quarters in society, including inter-faith and political leaders, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam said.

In an interview with ANTARA at his official residence here on Saturday Dipo Alam said President Yudhoyono actually had frequently held meetings like that at his residence in Puri Cikeas Indah or the state palace.

The government however also understands that people actually wished for more intensive dialogs and communications with state officials, he said.

"The communications and meetings, according to me, however are still needed to be increased in view of the public`s demand. I am trying to find ways and hopefully there would be time available for them," he said.

Dipo said in the second term of his government President Yudhoyono was indeed busier than in the first term because Indonesia had now become a full member of the G-20 and ASEAN chair for 2011.

President Yudhoyono`s agenda which is already worldwide has affected his working time as head of state that he has to set aside for attending events that have to be attended by him at home and abroad.

"So the time is indeed limited for him to be able to meet with the people," he said.

Dipo however said President Yudhoyono would continue to be able to provide time for meeting with mass media, religious and political leaders on the sidelines of his tight agenda.

"I hope the President would if possible be able to increase communications with them. So if he can I hope he would provide mote time to meet with religious and political leaders. So it would not be limited to members of the secretariate of political party coalition," he said.

Dipo said President Yudhoyono actually is listening various criticisms addressed to him from all parties and had admitted that his government had not met all the development goals that had been programmed.

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono