REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The Swedish King Carl XVI Gustav pays three day visit to Indonesia, in his capacity as World Scout Foundation chairman. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyonoreceived the visiting king on Tuesday. The King's visit is scheduled from January 30 to February 2.
He visits Indonesia at the invitation of the country`s Headquarters of Scouting Movement (Kwartir Nasional Gerakan Pramuka). SBY awarded Tunas Kencana Medal of honor to him. The award is given to those who have a great meritorious service and support to the progress of the scout movement in Indonesia.
During the visit, the King will attend a number of events of the scouting movement in Cibubur,Jakarta, and in Yogyakarta. In addition, the Swedish king is also scheduled to lay a wreath at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta, and then to visit Borobudur and Prambanan Temples in Central Java.
"The visit to Indonesia by the Swedish king is expected to strengthen the bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries in various fields," the presidential special staff for international relations Teuku Faizasyah said.
The King who has been a Scout since his childhood, is also the Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, according to press statement from the Embassy of Sweden received by Republika. Together with HM King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf has been leading the Messengers of Peace initiative, and the two Kings have inspired no less than 10 million Scouts in 110 countries around the globe to work for a more peaceful world by building bridges between people of different cultures and faiths.
At last year’s World Scout Jamboree - which was organized in Kristianstad, Sweden - some 200 youths from the Gerakan Pramuka had the opportunity to meet with the King and tell him about the work that they do. His Majesty was so impressed with the dedication of the Indonesian scouts that he accepted an invitation to visit Indonesia and meet with Scouts in both Jakarta and Yogyakarta.
