Former President SBY to Attend Tsunami Memorial in Aceh Today

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, or SBY will attend the 19th anniversary of the Aceh Tsunami in Aceh today. Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto will also head to Aceh, attending the memorial event on behalf of President Joko Widodo or Jokowi. 

"Mr. SBY as the 6th president of Indonesia was the one who faced [the tragedy]," said Demokrat Party spokesperson Herzaky Mahendra Putra in a brief text message on Monday evening.

When asked about any campaigning agenda between SBY and Prabowo, who is currently contesting in the upcoming general elections, Herzaky did not elaborate any further.

The Aceh Tsunami memorial event was scheduled on the official website of the Aceh provincial government. The Cultural and Tourism Office of Aceh on Dec. 16-17 held the Smong Festival to commemorate the tragedy. Today's peak event will be held at the Baiturrahman Great Mosque in Banda Aceh.

Yesterday, SBY visited the mass graves of the victims of the 2004 Aceh tsunami and earthquake in Siron, Aceh Besar Regency. He was accompanied by his son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the Secretary-General of the Demokrat Party, members of the Demokrat party in Aceh, and several ulemas.

SBY said that the tsunami was a reminder that Aceh has been through a calamitous tragedy. Hence, he said, nation leaders must provide the best for Aceh to ensure a just and prosperous future for the region.

"This is an obligation, for the Aceh government and the central government to advance Aceh going forward," the 6th president of Indonesia concluded.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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