Dr M and Siti Hasmah pay ailing Suharto a visit

JAKARTA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday visited former Indonesian president Suharto, who is in critical condition after being admitted to Pertamina Central Hospital here 11 days ago.

The former prime minister, who was accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, spent about 25 minutes in Suharto’s ward.

Former state secretary and Suharto's confidant Murdiono told reporters: “Mahathir talked to Pak Harto. He said several times into Suharto's ear: 'Mahathir has come'.”

Pak Harto is an affectionate name used by many Indonesians to refer to their former leader.

Suharto, who was the second Indonesian president (1966-1998), led the republic for 32 years and was responsible for bringing stability and progress to Indonesia.

Along with former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who visited the gravely ill ex-Indonesian leader on Saturday, Suharto was among the founding fathers of Asean

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Susilo arrives for annual consultation

KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived yesterday for the annual consultation with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Susilo, accompanied by his wife, Ani Bambang Yudhoyono, is leading a 150-member delegation comprising Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.

He was greeted on arrival at the KL International Airport in Sepang by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, his wife, Datin Seri Sharifah Aziah Syed Zainal Abidin, senior ministry and Indonesian Embassy officials.

Syed Hamid said Susilo’s three-day visit boded well for future bilateral relations between Malaysia and Indonesia.

He said Susilo and Abdullah would discuss issues of mutual interests to both countries.

Regional and international issues of concern to both countries would also feature in their talks, he told reporters at the airport.

Syed Hamid said outstanding bilateral issues, problems and misunderstandings, including questions of labour and media, would take centrestage in their talks.

“We’ve prepared a joint statement that will be announced at a joint press conference by Abdullah and Susilo,” he said.

The minister also said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Joint Trade and Investment between Malaysia and Indonesia would be signed.

“We welcome the visit. The Prime Minister too is happy with the visit. I think they have a very big delegation of 150 people,” Syed Hamid added.

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King honours Susilo with nation’s highest award

KUALA LUMPUR: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, who arrived here yesterday for a three-day working visit, was bestowed Malaysia's highest award – the Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara (DMN).

The award was presented to Susilo by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, at a ceremony at the Istana Negara here.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah; Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali; Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and several other Cabinet ministers were present at the ceremony.

High honour: Tuanku Mizan congratulating Susilo (left) after bestowing him with the Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur Thursday. — Bernama

Also present were Susilo's wife Ani Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda and several other Indonesian ministers.

After the presentation ceremony, Susilo attended a banquet hosted by Tuanku Mizan at the palace's Banquet Hall.

Susilo's visit is in conjunction with the annual consultation traditionally held between the Prime Minister and the Indonesian President.

The visit is aimed at enhancing existing bilateral relations and improving co-operation in all fields between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

Today, Susilo has a tight schedule which begins with a visit to Dataran Perdana in Putrajaya.

Later, he will attend a delegation meeting between Malaysia and Indonesia.

In the evening, Susilo is scheduled to visit the Indonesian Embassy in Jalan Tun Razak.

He is also scheduled to join Abdullah in attending a concert featuring artistes from Indonesia and Malaysia held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations.

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