PRESIDENT TO VISIT EAST KALIMANTAN BEFORE GOING TO M'SIA, JAPAN

Samarinda, East Kalimantan, July 4 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to visit East Kalimantan Province from July 4 to 5, 2008 before proceeding to Malaysia and later to Japan to attend a Developing Eight (D-8) and G-8 Summit.

The President is expected to arrive in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, at around 11.15 am local time and to be greeted by East Kalimantan Governor Tarmizi A. Karim.

From the airport, the President and entourage would proceed to Hidayatullah Islamic Boarding School and conduct Friday prayera at Ar-Riyadh Grand Mosque.

The President would later inaugurate infrastructure projects of the energy and mineral resource, and public works ministries. Yudhoyono would also hand direct assistance to the poor under the 'Mandiri' (Self-Reliance) People Empowerment National Program, and the People Business Credit (KUR).

On Saturday afternoon, the Head of State would officially open the 17th National Sports Week (PON) in Samarinda which will be participated in by around 13,000 athletes.

Among members of the presidential entourage will be Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng and Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto.

After his working visit in East Kalimantan, the President would go on trips to Malaysia and Japan from July 6 to 10, 2008.