NEW YORK. In response to speculation that he would run for chairman of a UN body, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday in New York that he would remain in Indonesia after his second term ends in 2014.

“My wife and I have discussed [my future activities after my presidential tenure ends]. I think, if I finish this job [as president], I will continue my activities in Indonesia, to support the administration under the next president,” Yudhoyono told Indonesian journalists in a press conference.

The President utilized the press conference, which was held at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, to summarize his one-week visit to the American metropolis, which was centered on attending the 67th General Assembly at the UN headquarters.

“I think Indonesia has so many figures who are appropriate to represent Indonesia at UN bodies. I personally am ready to support whoever these new figures are. Just let me stay in Indonesia and focus on other matters that are beneficial for the people,” Yudhoyono added.

Speculation had arisen that Yudhoyono was eyeing a position at the UN after the end of his presidential term. Many said he would run for UN Secretary-General but others have said the President would be more suitable for other UN bodies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), given the fact that the current UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has represented Asia and that the position rotates between representatives of the world’s different continents.(iwa)

The Jakarta Post

Editor: