He said before opening a limited cabinet meeting here on Monday that he and vice president Boediono had signed a renewed coalition agreement with leaders of the political parties that support his government.
"This morning leaders of political parties in the coalition had met with an agenda of signing a renewed memorandum of understanding," he said.
Present at the signing at the Presidential Palace compound were general chairpersons of all the political parties that coalesced with him except the general chairperson of Golkar Party, Aburizal Bakrie, who was represented by vice general chairman Agung Laksono, because he was out of the town.
Also at hand were coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Djoko Suyanto, minister/state secretary Sudi Silalahi and cabinet secretary Dipo Alam.
President Yudhoyono who is also the chief patron of the ruling Democrat Party said the signing of the renewed contract marked the conclusion of the re-ordering, refinement and improvement of the coalition.
"Our hope is it would become more effective and better so that people would get a benefit from it," he said.
According to the general chair person of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Hatta Rajasa, who is also the coordinating minister for economic affairs, the renewed contract was in principle not different from the old one except that it has given more emphasis on the need to increase communication among coalition members.
Agung Laksono meanwhile said the renewed contract explicitly regulates sanctions for those violating it.
He said political parties that run against the decision of the coalition would be considered withdrawing from the coalition.
Other political parties in the coalition are the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP).
(T.D013*P008/H-YH/HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
