In Bahasa Indonesia, Obama Praises President SBY

In Bahasa Indonesia, Obama Praises President SBY

There was something unusual in the Open Government Partnership High Level Event Meeting, in the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the USA, on Wednesday afternoon (24/9) local time or Thursday morning (25/9) west Indonesia time.

In the event which also included the handover of the leadership in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) from Indonesia, the US President Barrack Obama expressed his praise to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) who will soon end his tenure as the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

“Selamat, Bapak,” President Barrack Obama congratulated President SBY in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language), which means “Congratulations, Sir.”

“I praise your leadership which has succeeded in leading Indonesia toward democratic transition,” President Obama added in English and was applauded cheerfully by the heads of states and the heads of governments who attended the event.

Inthat event, President SBY handed over his position as the OGP leader to his successor, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto. Among those who attended the event, the Chief Chairman of the Civil Society Organization Rakesh Rajani and Suneeta Kaimal were also present.

OGP’s Development

In his remarks, President SBY expressed his deep appreciation for OGP’s development. He welcomed gladly Tunisia and Bosnia Herzegovina which decided to join OGP and be its members.

Meanwhile, President SBY urged other countries which are interested in joining OGP to join it. “Come and join us. Let’s share our free and refreshing experiences, with the spirit of transparency and openness,” he stated.

According to President SBY, since its establishment three years ago, OGP’s development has been so rapid. Presently, the number of OGP’s members has increased to 65. Indonesia is one of the eight countries who pioneered the establishment of OGP. The eight countries are Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the USA.

“OGP has become a global movement from 64 countries and 200 civil society organizations. Indonesia is proud to lead OGP in the last one year,” President SBY said.

In the OGP event, a number of international prominent figures also shared their countries’ success stories. They were, among others, Rakesh Rajani Twaweza in his capacity as the OGP Co-Chairman, Tanzanian President, Croatian President, Georgian Prime Minister, South African President, French President in his capacity as the member of the next OGP Steering Committee, the US President in his capacity as the founder of OGP, and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto who then gave the closing speech. (GMD/ES)