PRESIDENT HOSTS FAREWELL GATHERING WITH OUTGOING MINISTERS

Jakarta, Oct 16 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday afternoon will hold a farewell gathering with ministers and former ministers who have faithfully assisted him for the past five years.

"All United Indonesia cabinet ministers and former ministers, including Vice President-elect Boediono who used to be coordinating minister for economy are invited to the farewell gathering with President Yudhoyono," presidential spokesman Andi Malarangeng said on Friday.

Malarangeng said the president on the occasion would extend his sincere appreciation and gratitude to all ministers and former ministers who had helped him in the government for five years.

"The president will also ask the ministers, who will be reappointed for the next cabinet, to remain working hard and struggle for the state and the national interest," Malarangeng said.

A number of United Indonesia Cabinet ministers rumored to be reappointed for the next cabinet are Minister/State Secretary Hatta Rajasa, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, and Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono.

Malarangeng said President Yudhoyono had since Thursday night been contacting people he considered capable to be included in his new United Indonesia cabinet.

According to Malarangeng, the president would also contact other figures on Friday night to offer them positions in his next cabinet.

"The president contacted about half of 34 figures last night," Malarangeng said, adding that under the head of state's schedule the president was to contact 34 people Thursday night through Friday night, and interview the candidate ministers on Saturday and Sunday together with Vice-President-elect Boediono.

He said that after signing integrity pacts and work contracts, the candidate ministers would undergo medical check-ups at Gatot Subroto hospital on Sunday and Monday before being installed on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, or one day after President Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono are inaugurated.