Prince Charles arrives in Indonesia
Royal visit: Britain's Prince Charles (C-front) walking along the red carpet followed by British Ambassador to Indonesia Martin Hatfull (R-behind) upon his arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma airport in Jakarta yesterday. Picture: AFP
Sunday, November 2, 2008
BRITAIN'S Prince Charles arrived in Indonesia yesterday in a visit to promote the preservation of forests and encourage interfaith dialogue in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.
The visit is the first time in nearly two decades the heir to the British throne has visited the Southeast Asian nation and comes on the back of trips to Japan and Brunei.
Charles is scheduled to visit rainforest conservation work on Sumatra island before travelling to Jakarta to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
He will later travel to Yogyakarta on Java island to meet the city's hereditary Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.
Britain's Ambassador to Indonesia Martin Hatfull said Friday conservation of rain forests and interfaith dialogue were "very close to the Prince of Wales' heart."
"He is well known and well respected as an authority... on both these issues," Hatfull said.
Local media reported heightened security around Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma airbase in the lead-up to his visit, which comes as Indonesia prepares to execute three men behind 2002 bombings on Bali island that killed more than 200.
Authorities in Indonesia are guarding against a possible violent backlash by supporters of the bombers.AFP
The visit is the first time in nearly two decades the heir to the British throne has visited the Southeast Asian nation and comes on the back of trips to Japan and Brunei.
Charles is scheduled to visit rainforest conservation work on Sumatra island before travelling to Jakarta to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
He will later travel to Yogyakarta on Java island to meet the city's hereditary Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.
Britain's Ambassador to Indonesia Martin Hatfull said Friday conservation of rain forests and interfaith dialogue were "very close to the Prince of Wales' heart."
"He is well known and well respected as an authority... on both these issues," Hatfull said.
Local media reported heightened security around Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma airbase in the lead-up to his visit, which comes as Indonesia prepares to execute three men behind 2002 bombings on Bali island that killed more than 200.
Authorities in Indonesia are guarding against a possible violent backlash by supporters of the bombers.AFP
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