SBY's Stance on Lapindo and Golkar

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on all sides to think clearly in voicing their opinions and not to easily level accusations against others so that democracy and politics in Indonesia could develop in a respectable manner.

When he led a cabinet ministers’ meeting on the acceleration of development in Papua and West Papua here on Wednesday evening, the president said that he had heard a statement on a TV talk show that the visit of World Bank Managing Director Sri Mulyani was linked to a conspiracy regarding the Bank Century case.

"I think this is insane. The government’s policy on the Bank Century issue is clear. It should not be mixed with politics. Police and the prosecutors are working. Things are simple in this country. Those who make mistakes will receive sanctions," the president said.

He said his meeting with Sri Mulyani recently was an official meeting between a head of state and a leader of an international institution. Things discussed related to the cooperation between Indonesia and the international institution.

"It is just the same as other meetings when a senior official of an international institution meets with me as president. The problem discussed was cooperation with Indonesia," he said.

He said that the meeting was held openly and was covered by the media so that it was incorrect if there was such an opinion. The president also disclosed that when he attended the anniversary of the Golkar Party some time ago, there was also a party who accused him of conspiring to support Lapindo.

"I attended the anniversary as president who was invited by the party. The forum was open and my speech could be heard by the people. The government’s policy about the Sidoarjo mud was clear. The government has its responsibility and so has PT Lapindo. Everything must be put in the right place," the head of state said.