The appreciation was expressed in a direct contact by phone between the President and one of the expedition leaders, Sabar (53), before the Head of State attended a meeting with examplars at the Jakarta Fair Complex in Kemayoran Thursday night.
"I and the Vice President and ministers in Jakarta said alhamdulillah (Thank God) to Sabar and Budi and the team had raised the Indonesian flag on the peak of Elbrus," the President said.
Sabar, a professional but physically handicapped climber, with his team reached the peak of Elbrus and flew the Indonesian flag for 5 minutes in a temperature of 10 degrees Celcius.
"I also Thank God that in such bad weather they climbed in such bad weather and reached the peak," Sabar said about his experience in climbing Elbrus.
Actually the telephone call between the Merdeka expedition team and the President was scheduled on the afternoon of August 17, but due to bad weather, the phone contact could be realized on the night of August 18 Jakarta time.
Sabar saud the climb was started on 10 am local time, and the peak was reached at 4 pm.
The President expressed pride for the success of the Merdeka expedition team, and said it reflected the values of the Indonesian people strong in reaching their aims.
When talking on the phone, the President was flanked by Vice President Boediono, Minister, State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi, and Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng, as well as First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Boediono`s wife, and Health Minister Endang Sedyaningsih.
Sabar is a physically handicapped climber from Indonesia who for the first time reached the peak of Elbrus in Russia.
The man from Solo is actually quite used to mounting climbing, and had won first prize in the Asian wall climbing competition in Korea in 2009. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
