The press is often cynical and unfriendly to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono but he remains grateful for its constructive criticisms.
When addressing a gathering of media editors to launch a book "SBY and the Press Freedom" here over the weekend, the president stated that the press has saved him from abusing power and freedom.
Yudhoyono stated that press criticism against him during the last 10 years was part of a constructive effort to prevent him and his government from committing mistakes.
"Sometimes criticisms had become excessive, but viewing in a positive frame, I am grateful to the press because the press has saved me from abusing power and freedom," Yudhoyono affirmed.
He even praised the press that it has helped make him remain strong and not being tempted by the power and freedom be careless in making a decision and policy.
The outgoing president who will end his term of office on October 20, 2014 admitted that there was no day without criticism and condemnation, no day without rumors about him and his family.
But he noted that behind them all, there has also been a blessing because by being continuously, he had been able to stay on board and not be tempted to misuse his power.
He pointed out that many leaders who were anti-criticism, silenced opposition and critical press had have only been thrown off their position by the people.
He said that press freedom was a prerequisite for people's sovereignty and democracy but on the other hand it also requires full responsibility.
Yudhoyono emphasized that power and freedom were likely to be abused and if it happened, the goal and ideals of democracy would be disturbed.
"In an authoritarian government, the power holder is a ruler who is likely to exploit power and freedom," the president remarked.
He stated that nowadays many power holders exist besides executives, parliament, press, and law enforcers, and therefore, a ruler should exercise power efficiently and preferably within his or her authority.
"Freedom and independence without limits also tend to be abused, and thus, power and freedom in democracy should be balanced," the outgoing president noted.
Yudhoyono, however, believes that although the maturation of democracy is still underway, Indonesia will eventually find the point of balance between power and freedom, and political stability.
Therefore, the president appealed to the press to remain critical of the government but within the spirit of the nation's development and advancement.
He added that criticism against the government was something positive as long as the two sides mutually understand their respective position and adopt constructive attitude.
Therefore, the head of state has expressed his hope that at least one of Indonesia's mass media would go international and be able to compete with other global media.
In his address at the opening ceremony of the meeting of the 2014 Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) leaders at the State Palace last Tuesday, the president said Indonesian media must not lose the competition.
"Indonesian media must not lose the competition. I believe we can and we have the talented resources," Yudhoyono affirmed.
The President noted that it will be a great pride if Indonesian media goes global and covers major international events.
The President said he spent two hours every night to only watch news from across the world, from Europe, Africa, or East Africa.
"I watch the CNN, BBC, Al-Jazeera, and other media one after another. Indonesian media must also be globally recognized," he stressed.
The opening ceremony was attended by central and regional leaders, officials at the ministerial level, legislatures, and the press council.
In his address, President Yudhoyono expressed hope that the commission will maintain and oversee that the mass media is largely for public benefit and assists in the democratization of Indonesia.
"We can round off our efforts to continue to ripen and blossom our democracy, including the increasing role of the commission as well as the contribution of public broadcasting institutions for nation-building," he added.
Appreciating President Yudhoyono's contribution to the press freedom development so far, Press Council Chairman Bagir Manan offered President Yudhoyono to become a columnist after his retirement.
Bagir noted that the president has helped grow, preserve and maintain press freedom as a prerequisite for people's sovereignty and democracy.
At the gathering with the media editors while launching a book "SBY and the Press Freedom", Bagir asked President Yudhoyono how he faced media criticism as president and subsequently become a columnist.
"Pak Bagir has asked me to be "still around," and God willing, I will remain part of the people of Indonesia," President Yudhoyono said to the gathering.
Yudhoyono stated that in the run up to his retirement after ending his second term of office on October 20, 2014, he was frequently engaged in serious discussions with First Lady Ani Yudhoyono about his activities after retirement.
"I am still discussing with Ibu Ani whether we could open a business of fried rice (nasi goreng) or engage in gardening to spend my retirement period," the president noted.
He was, however, likely to accept the offer of the Media Council chairman to become a columnist.
Bagir suggested that the president after retirement should turn to writing on various issues in the mass media.
The Media Council chairman opined that the public still needs Yudhoyono's ideas and thoughts to encourage the nation's progress.
Besides promising to be a columnist, Yudhoyono also said that along with the former leaders of numerous countries, he has planned to provide valuable contributions to the world through various activities.
"Every opportunity looks good, but after ten years in office, I have to take rest, and then I will begin writing columns in the mass media," he added.
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2014
When addressing a gathering of media editors to launch a book "SBY and the Press Freedom" here over the weekend, the president stated that the press has saved him from abusing power and freedom.
Yudhoyono stated that press criticism against him during the last 10 years was part of a constructive effort to prevent him and his government from committing mistakes.
"Sometimes criticisms had become excessive, but viewing in a positive frame, I am grateful to the press because the press has saved me from abusing power and freedom," Yudhoyono affirmed.
He even praised the press that it has helped make him remain strong and not being tempted by the power and freedom be careless in making a decision and policy.
The outgoing president who will end his term of office on October 20, 2014 admitted that there was no day without criticism and condemnation, no day without rumors about him and his family.
But he noted that behind them all, there has also been a blessing because by being continuously, he had been able to stay on board and not be tempted to misuse his power.
He pointed out that many leaders who were anti-criticism, silenced opposition and critical press had have only been thrown off their position by the people.
He said that press freedom was a prerequisite for people's sovereignty and democracy but on the other hand it also requires full responsibility.
Yudhoyono emphasized that power and freedom were likely to be abused and if it happened, the goal and ideals of democracy would be disturbed.
"In an authoritarian government, the power holder is a ruler who is likely to exploit power and freedom," the president remarked.
He stated that nowadays many power holders exist besides executives, parliament, press, and law enforcers, and therefore, a ruler should exercise power efficiently and preferably within his or her authority.
"Freedom and independence without limits also tend to be abused, and thus, power and freedom in democracy should be balanced," the outgoing president noted.
Yudhoyono, however, believes that although the maturation of democracy is still underway, Indonesia will eventually find the point of balance between power and freedom, and political stability.
Therefore, the president appealed to the press to remain critical of the government but within the spirit of the nation's development and advancement.
He added that criticism against the government was something positive as long as the two sides mutually understand their respective position and adopt constructive attitude.
Therefore, the head of state has expressed his hope that at least one of Indonesia's mass media would go international and be able to compete with other global media.
In his address at the opening ceremony of the meeting of the 2014 Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) leaders at the State Palace last Tuesday, the president said Indonesian media must not lose the competition.
"Indonesian media must not lose the competition. I believe we can and we have the talented resources," Yudhoyono affirmed.
The President noted that it will be a great pride if Indonesian media goes global and covers major international events.
The President said he spent two hours every night to only watch news from across the world, from Europe, Africa, or East Africa.
"I watch the CNN, BBC, Al-Jazeera, and other media one after another. Indonesian media must also be globally recognized," he stressed.
The opening ceremony was attended by central and regional leaders, officials at the ministerial level, legislatures, and the press council.
In his address, President Yudhoyono expressed hope that the commission will maintain and oversee that the mass media is largely for public benefit and assists in the democratization of Indonesia.
"We can round off our efforts to continue to ripen and blossom our democracy, including the increasing role of the commission as well as the contribution of public broadcasting institutions for nation-building," he added.
Appreciating President Yudhoyono's contribution to the press freedom development so far, Press Council Chairman Bagir Manan offered President Yudhoyono to become a columnist after his retirement.
Bagir noted that the president has helped grow, preserve and maintain press freedom as a prerequisite for people's sovereignty and democracy.
At the gathering with the media editors while launching a book "SBY and the Press Freedom", Bagir asked President Yudhoyono how he faced media criticism as president and subsequently become a columnist.
"Pak Bagir has asked me to be "still around," and God willing, I will remain part of the people of Indonesia," President Yudhoyono said to the gathering.
Yudhoyono stated that in the run up to his retirement after ending his second term of office on October 20, 2014, he was frequently engaged in serious discussions with First Lady Ani Yudhoyono about his activities after retirement.
"I am still discussing with Ibu Ani whether we could open a business of fried rice (nasi goreng) or engage in gardening to spend my retirement period," the president noted.
He was, however, likely to accept the offer of the Media Council chairman to become a columnist.
Bagir suggested that the president after retirement should turn to writing on various issues in the mass media.
The Media Council chairman opined that the public still needs Yudhoyono's ideas and thoughts to encourage the nation's progress.
Besides promising to be a columnist, Yudhoyono also said that along with the former leaders of numerous countries, he has planned to provide valuable contributions to the world through various activities.
"Every opportunity looks good, but after ten years in office, I have to take rest, and then I will begin writing columns in the mass media," he added.
Editor : John Nikita S
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2014