President discusses post-election security situation

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono chaired a limited cabinet meeting at his office here on Monday to discuss the post-legislative election security situation.

Started at 10 on Monday morning, the meeting was attended by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo AS, Law and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalatta, Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto, Minister/State Secretary Hatta Radjasa, Communication and Information Minister Muhammad Nuh, National Police Chief Gen Bambang Hendarso Danuri, State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Syamsir Siregar, and Attorney General Hendarman Supanji.

Minister/State Secretary Hatta Radjasa said the meeting was held as the president wanted to hear reports on the security situation across the country after the national legislative elections on Thursday, April 9, 2009.

"After a four-day holiday, the president wanted to obtain reports on the latest security situation in the country after the legislative elections," Hatta Radjasa said.

According to him, President Yudhoyono chaired the meeting to discuss the security situation only and not the potential of legal action against the ballot count in the legislative elections.

"Such a case has already had its own legal procedure," Hatta Radjasa said, adding that before the meeting, President Yudhoyono had already received the report on security condition during and after the election.

Earlier, on Thursday night (April 9, 2009), Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo AS reported to the president about the security situation and the next day on Friday (April 10, 2009) Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto reported the same thing to the head of state at the latter`s private residence at Puri Cikeas Indah in Bogor, West Java.

At the time Minister Mardiyanto said there was no significant security disturbance during the election, except the one in Abepura, Papua province.