"I assure the Indonesian people that I will not neglect my state duties. Over the past eight years, I have very rarely taken part in the Democratic Party`s activities if not in its anniversary functions, leadership meetings and national coordination meetings. I continue to abide by my oath of office to perform my duties for the interest of the state," the president told a press conference in his Cikeas residence in Bogor, West Java, on Sunday night.
Yudhoyono, who is also the Democratic Party (PD) chief patron and chairman of the party`s High Council, said that he would continue to do his state tasks and make efforts so that the government would achieve its program target.
He said that in the past, the president also had the duty to build his or her political party even if he or she was heading the government. The two duties --in building the party and in carrying out state tasks-- could proceed side-by-side well without being mutually disturbed.
Yudhoyono said president BJ Habibie, president Abdurrahman Wahid and president Megawati Soekarnoputri while carrying out state duties, also helped develop their respective political parties.
Sunday night, PD Chief Patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, accompanied by the party`s High Council`s members, held a meeting with the the leaders of the party`s Regional Council from across the country.
During the meeting, they signed an integrity pact which contained ten points (of commitment). Other regional leaders and members of the party will also be required to sign the same integrity pact.
The integrity pack was effective as of February 10, 2013. (A014)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
