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SBY visits ground zero – unnoticed




The Jakarta Post | Sat, 07/18/2009 5:35 PM | National

Dozens of journalists were left grumbling Saturday, as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono came and went from the site of Friday’s bombings without publicly commenting on the incident. The press was not given prior knowledge of the highly anticipated visit.

Yudhoyono returned to the presidential car without speaking to the press. State Secretary Hatta Radjasa and presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng did not make statements either.

A source said the president and his entourage strolled into the hotel through its basement. Tighter security at the hotel was believed to be used to provide a distraction while the president made his visit.

The president was expected to visit the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels hours after Friday morning’s bomb attacks, but security officials advised him to reschedule the trip for safety reasons. (bbs)









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