Swedish King Carl Gustaf begins 4-day official visit to Indonesia

Swedish King Carl Gustaf begins 4-day official visit to Indonesia

2012-02-01 08:55:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday received Swedish King Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus on his official four-day visit, the Antara news agency reported on Wednesday.

In a welcoming ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, President Yudhoyono along with cabinet ministers wore a blue Swedish scout uniform to receive King Carl Gustaf, who is the honorary chief of the World Scouts Foundation and who also wore a Swedish scout uniform.

During his visit, the Swedish King is scheduled to receive a 'Tunas Kencana' medal which is the highest Indonesian Scout Movement award. The medal is awarded to those who have supported and helped the development of the Indonesian scout movement and who have demonstrated leadership.

Among past recipients so far are the late Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, the late first President Soekarno and the late former President Soeharto. President Yudhoyono was also awarded the medal in 2007.

King Gustaf will be observing the Indonesian scouts' activities and assist in the peace mission program. So far, the King has contributed with approximately $500,000 for the program as honorary chief of the World Scouts Foundation.

Gustaf is also scheduled to visit the touristic and cultural city of Jogjakarta, located in central Java, where he is expected to visit the ancient temples of Borobudur and Perambanan. King Carl Gustaf arrived in Jakarta alongside World Scouts Foundation chief Mike Bosman as well as several world scout organization board members.

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