"The president has expressed his desire to hold a discussion with the nations leaders by meeting the top figures," Special Staff of the President for Communication Johan Budi said at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Monday.
Budi noted that the presidents plan might serve as an opportunity for the gathering of former Indonesian presidents, namely Megawati Soekarnoputri, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), and BJ Habibie, during the commemoration event of the 72nd Anniversary of Indonesian Independence.
Budi stated that Widodo had expressed the idea of a meeting with the nations figures since some time ago.
"The president has realized the plan by gathering the nations figures, including SBY, Habibie, and Megawat,i who attended the commemoration of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. It was an opportunity or starting point to meet the nations figures," he stated.
He remarked that Widodo had also held meetings and discussions with national figures on the issues of nationality.
"The president has met SBY, Megawati, Habibie, Prabowo, and others. They (national figures) were invited for the discussion," he explained.
According to Budi, Widodo embraced all national figures and had cultivated a tradition of meeting and holding discussions with them.
"The president wanted to invite and engage in conversation with the national figures to receive inputs on nationality," he revealed.
Budi stated that the former president SBY had come to know of the plan a few days ago.
"I came to know three or four days before Aug 17 that SBY will be present at the commemoration event of Independence of Indonesia. I received the information from State Secretary Pratikno," he pointed out.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
