"To face current storms I will be in front," he said in his speech at the opening of the party`s national coordination meeting at Sentul International Convention Center here on Saturday, drawing an applause from around 5,000 party cadres attending the event.
The party has been under public scrutiny following statements from former treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin from abroad where he has been hiding after being named suspect in a corruption case so far accusing some of the party elite of also being involved in his case.
To all cadres from across the country Yudhoyono who is also the Indonesian president appealed to be more solid and united to face all kinds of challenges and tests so far and not to lose hope.
"We must not lose confidence and must not blame each other. Blaming each other is not a smart example in politics. We must even be more united and solid in times like now," he said referring to the current pressures.
To the cadres Yudhoyono also appealed to be not afraid of facing harsh political competition, which is indeed often unhealthy and full of slanders and aimed at pitting one against another..
"That is the situation we are facing now. To face it I hope all cadres would not panic, become scared or discouraged," he said. "No" cadres shouted when he asked if they were afraid.
Yudhoyono had asked cadres not to stand idle but fight according to democratic norms and the law in case slanders or smearing emerged.
"It is only us who can defend and clean our reputation if we are really not guilty and undermined before the public. Do not let slanders and smearing continue without us having courage to correct them," he said.
Yudhoyono however also called on cadres to not speak at will and differently in their defense moreover attack each other which would only embarrass the party.
He said political battles would still continue and therefore he asked the party`s general chairman Anas Urbaningrum and other central board members to manage and control the party actively and responsibly.
He called on all party cadres not to be disturbed by current political conditions and to keep carrying out their tasks well to help make the programs of the government that he leads successful.
(T.D013*R024/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
