... hopefully 2014, which is also dubbed the year of politics, will pass in a safe and orderly manner."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - First Lady Ani Yudhoyono on Thursday expressed hope that the upcoming general elections would run in a peaceful and orderly manner.

In a plenary meeting of the Solidarity of Wives of United Indonesia Cabinet (SIKIB) at the state palace, the First Lady stated "hopefully 2014, which is also dubbed the year of politics, will pass in a safe and orderly manner."

She quoted the call made by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the commemoration of the Prophet Mohammads birthday at the state place, earlier on Wednesday, on Muslims and other citizens of the country to participate in the general elections scheduled on April 9, in an orderly and ethical manner.

The President, she noted, had called on the Indonesian citizens to make the international community realize that the nation has developed greater maturity in implementing democracy.

The SIKIB members include the wives of high-ranking officials, besides the wives of the first and second United Indonesia cabinets.

The SIKIB, which operates in the social and humanitarian areas, always holds an annual plenary meeting.

It operates based on five pillars: Indonesia Smart, Indonesia Healthy, Indonesia Green, Indonesia Creative, and Indonesia Care.

During the meeting, the chairperson and coordinator of SIKIB reported its activities in 2013, including swift progress made in Indonesia Smart through motorcycle, car, ship, and smart house programs, access to books and technology for disadvantaged children, and also in Indonesia Healthy, with its early detection programs for cancer.

It also spoke about the future of the teachers involved in the Indonesia Smart program after the end of the SIKIB tenure.

President Yudhoyono will end his term this year, following the presidential election scheduled to be held on July 9.

He is not entitled to seek reelection by law, as he has held the post for two terms.

(Reporting by GNC Aryani/H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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