JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono apologized to the Indonesian Asian Games contingent for not being able to see it off to Guangzhou, China, on November 10, 2010, a cabinet minister said. Sports and Youth Affiars Minister Andi Mallarangeng said here on Friday the president had left for Yogyakarta to monitor Mt Merapi eruption handling there.
"For that, the president apologizes because he is not able to see off the contingent directly as he usually does when an Indonesian contingent is to take part in an international multi event," Andi said.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono canceled his plan to see off the country’s contingent to the Asian Games earlier scheduled at the presidential palace on Friday due to the Mount Merapi eruptions.
"The President is concentrating his mind and energy on dealing with the impact of the eruptions of Mount Merapi. He will temporarily operate from an office in Yogyakarta. Therefore he has canceled his plan to meet and see off members of the Indonesian contingent to the Asian Games," Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Andi Mallarangeng said here on Friday.
The minister made the statement when confirming the country’s Asian Games contingent consisting of 296 athletes and officials who would compete in Guangzhou, China, as of November 12. He said the cancellation was actually a mere postponement but he could not say when the president would meet the athletes.
"Consider it just a postponement. However we cannot as yet tell when the President will be able to meet with them because of his tight schedule. While concentrating on the Merapi problem the President also has to prepare himself to meet US President Barack Obama and others. So I cannot as yet tell when the meeting would be held," he said.
