Speaking at a press conference at his office here on Thursday, Yudhoyono said he had conveyed the "strongest possible" protest and concern over last Saturday`s beheading without prior notice of Indonesian female migrant worker Ruyati in Saudi Arabia.
"This week we were shocked by the execution of our sister Ruyati binti Satubi," President Yudhoyono said, adding that the execution without previous notice to the Indonesian government was clearly against international norms, ethics and propriety.
"With the people of Indonesia, I grieve over this incident and have sent a strong protest to the government of Saudi Arabia," the president added.
As the head of state, Yudhoyono expressed his deepest sympathy and strongly protested the Saudi king in his protest note.
But Yudhoyono also said Indonesia-Saudi Arabian relations remained good despite cases related to Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.
Besides, the president also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi King for meeting the Indonesian government`s request of clemency for 316 Indonesians who were facing legal problem in Saudi Arabia.
"On behalf of the Indonesian government and state, I extend my gratitude and appreciation for the unconditional release of 316 Indonesians in Saudi Arabia," President Yudhoyono said.
Relating to a moratorium on sending Indonesian workers to Saudi Arabia that will take effect on August 1, 2011, the president called on aLL Indonesians to obey and support the policy.
The president said steps Were already being taken to implement the moratorium, namely the tightening of supervision over despatches of Indonesian migrant workers to the Middle Eastern country.
(Uu.O001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
