we thank them because they support the President in the efforts to eradicate corruption which is President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s commitment, policy and program,"
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had not yet received the letter reportedly written by 29 national figures to support him to actively and concretely take firm action against corrupters.

"I read the letter in the media and I must say it was good and certainly we thank them for their positive concern," Dipo said here on Monday.

As many as 29 national figures sent a letter to President Suslo Bambang Yudhoyono on August 20, 2011. In the letter they appealed to the President to take harsh action against corrupters including his party`s former treasurer Nazaruddin.

The national figures include former defense forces commander retired general Endriartono Sutarto, Paramadina University Rector Anis Baswedan, former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy Erry Riyana, sociologist Imam Prasodjo, State Islamic University rector Komaruddin Hidayat and Mas Achmad Santoso.

Dipo said the letter was good and the government appreciated it because it did not contain hatred or slander.

"Yes, we thank them because they support the President in the efforts to eradicate corruption which is President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s commitment, policy and program," he said.

Dipo Alam said in President Yudhoyono`s mind there was no such thing as `courageous or not courageous". He said President Yudhoyono would always carry out his policies and actions based on the law and democracy.

He admitted that some people wished President Yudhoyono would use his power like former president Soekarno in the Old Order era or Soeharto during the New Order era.

Dipo Alam who is a former student activisit said that since 1998 the two presidents` ways of ruling had been reformed and now Indonesia is a law-based and democratic country in which President Yudhoyono would not be able to continue ruling after the end of his second term in 2014.

"The President`s power is now spread in various state institutions and regional governments as a consequence of decentralization including in the media and community members as has been shown by the implementation of the right to expression by the 29 national figures with their letter," he said.

Dipo said "the more support the President gets certainly the better. So let us just wait for their letter and more support. Now is the fasting month of Ramadhan and therefore I would say `thank God` for their support."(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011