"What happens now is that the Yogyakarta Special Region does not diminish the value of democracy, but it serves as a complement."Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Muhammadiyah Chairman Din Syamsudin said he supported the special status of Yogyakarta and the appointment of the Sultan and Paku Alam as its governor and deputy governor.
"We support the idea of maintaining the special status of Yogyakarta such as we have known it all this time," Din Syamsudin said after a meeting with Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X at the Gedhong Jene Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (Sultan`s Palace) here Tuesday.
According to Din, Keraton Yogyakarta had played a great role in the struggle for Indonesian independence and the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia into which Yogyakarta integrated without losing its special status in the country.
The existence of Keraton Yogyakarta was also an important element in the foundation and development of the national cultural values, Din said.
Din and Muhammadiyah hoped that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other authorities would maintain the special status of Yogyakarta.
"What happens now is that the Yogyakarta Special Region does not diminish the value of democracy, but it serves as a complement," Din said.
Muhammadiyah as one of Indonesia`s national Islamic institutions which was established in Yogyakarta expected that an appropriate Yogyakarta Special Status Bill reflecting the people`s aspirations could be passed by the par;parliament soon.
(Uu.KR-AES/HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
