PRESIDENT : RI ABLE TO PASS TWO BIG TESTS

Jakarta, Feb 9 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia had passed at least two big tests so far namely the multi-dimensional crisis in 1998 and the world economic crisis in 2008.

"The two achievements were the work of the nation's children that we must appreciate," he said when giving a "maiden lecture" titled "Failure is Not an Option" to students of the School of Journalism at the National Press Day in Palembang, Sumatra, on Tuesday.

The event was also attended by House Speaker Marzuki Alie, the chairman of People's Consultative Assembly, Taufiq Kiemas, Supreme Court chairman Harifin A Tumpa, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono, Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring, Education Minister Muhammad Nuh, the general chairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association and the president director of Antara News Agency Ahmad Mukhlis Yusuf.

Other attendants included national press figures such as Diah Herawati and Rosihan Anwar, a number of provincial governors and some foreign ambassadors and more than 1,000 newsmen from across the country.

The event was also held in conjuction with a National Journalists Games.

President Yudhoyono said after the country passed the second test the next challenge would be preparing the new generation of national leadership and continuing the development efforts to create welfare for all the people that have become the common ideal of the nation.

"For that at least three pillars would be needed namely economic improvement, development of democracy and realizaion of justice," he said.

To the press the head of state appealed to adjust themselves to the values and norms they had upheld to make democracy grow. He also called on the press to safeguard corruption eradication efforts.

He said he wished democracy would be more mature, welfare and justice felt by all people without any discrimination.

He said the press must exercise self-censorship, cover both sides and be selective on which stories were proper and which were improper.

President Yudhoyono thanked the press for having helped develop democracy in the country.

The event was also marked by presentation of first-class press cards to 80 senior journalists such as Rosihan Anwar, Jacob Oetama, Ishadi SK, Diah Herawati, Bambang Harymurti, Pia Alisyahbana, Karni Ilyas, Suminta Tobing and Dahlan Iskan.

The height of the Press Day was also marked by the signing of a ratification on press company standards covering among others standards of competence and protection of journalists by Kompas-Gramedia Group, LKBN Antara, RRI, TVRI, Trans Group, Mahaka Media, Globe and Jawa Pos Group as well as the opening of a the Press Council's School of Journalism.

This year's Adinegoro journalism award went to photo journalist of Singgalang Daily Muhammad Fitrah and Tempo Daily for its editorial.

The Golden Pen Award meanwhile went to Governor Alex Noerdin of South Sumatra for his service in promoting the press in the region and H Tarman Azzam, the former chief of the Indonesian Journalists Associtaion for his big contribution to promoting responsible press in the country while leading the Association for two terms.