President: Use the past as a lesson for introspection to start 2008

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked all segments Indonesian people to draw a lesson from past (2007) experience as an introspection to start the new year 2008.

The president made the call when asked after attending "Zikir" -organized worship function- to welcome new year 2008 at the Baiturrahim mosque at the presidential palace complex here on Monday evening.

The "Zikir" was also attended by several ministers and 3,000 members of the "Majelis Zikir Nursalam".

The president said, an improvement in the past shortcomings should be made while maintaining the (good) achievements in entering the future.

"Thus, we step into 2008 with an optimism and stronger self confidence, and believe that the country`s development is already on the right track," the president said.

Of course, there are still many things to settle like problems in the economic, social and legal sectors, in law enforsement as well as in international relations, Yudhoyono added.

"But believe that if we look into the future in a positive way, be in a true unity and work harder, I am sure that next year (2008) will be better than this year (2007)," he said.

Of course, this is an expectation of all the Indonesian people, the president added.(*)


Copyright © 2008 ANTARA