I Pray for Mr Hatta's Career: President Yudhoyono

Jakarta (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has offered a prayer for the former Coordinating Minister of Economy, Hatta Rajasa, who will run as a vice presidential candidate in Indonesia's presidential election. "I pray for Mr. Hatta Rajasa's bright career," President Yudhoyono said at a press conference in the Presidential Office here on Friday. President Yudhoyono made the statement following the announcement of chairman of the National Economic Committee (KE) Chairul Tanjung's appointment as the new Coordinating Minister of Economy replacing Hatta Rajasa who has resigned. According to President Yudhoyono, Hatta Rajasa had worked hard and demonstrated strong performance when conducting his duties as the coordinating minister of economy. Previously, in a meeting with Chief Patron of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) Prabowo Subianto, President Yudhoyono had permitted Hatta Rajasa to resign from his position as the coordinating minister of economy. President Yudhoyono said he respected Hatta's resignation to run for the vice president paired with Prabowo Subianto, who is the presidential candidate. (*)