Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

General TNI (Ret ) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, popularly known as SBY, was born in Pacitan, East Java, on 9 September 1949. He graduated from the Military Academy in 1973-top in his class. He received his fourth star in 2000. in the first-ever direct presidential election in Inonesia in 2004, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, running on a platfrom for "mor just, more peaceful, more prosperous, and more democratic Indonesia", was elected as the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, gainin a landslide 60% of the popular vote over the incumbent Persident Megawati Soekarnoputri.

President Yudhoyono is also an accomplished scholar. He was educated in the United States, where he received his masters degree in management from Webster University in 1991. He contiuned his study and earmed a Doctorated Degree in Agriculural Economics from Bogor institute of Agricluture, West Java, Indonesia, in 2004. President Yudhoyono was awarded with two honorary doctorates in 2005, respectively in the field of law from his alma mater,Webster University, and in political science from Thammasat University in Thailand.

During his 27-year distinguished military service, President Yudhoyono took an extensive range of training, education and courses, both in Indonesia and overseas . Persident Yudhoyono alsoheld numeros imprtant posts and positions as troop and territorial commander, staff officer, trained and lecturer. He served both in the field and ate headquarters, as well as missions overseas. He was the Commander of the United Nations Millitary Observers and Commander of the Indonesian Millitary Contingent in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1995-1996.

For his outstanding service, President Youdhoyono was decorated with 24 medals and awards, including the UNPKF Medal, the Bintang Dharma, the Bintang Mahaputra Adipurna and the Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna, the highest natinonal medal for excellent service beyont the calls of duty.

Prior to being elected, President Yudhoyono held various important government positions, including minister of Mining and Energy and Co-ordinating Minister for Political, Social, and Security Affairs in the National United Cabinet under President Abdurrahman Wahid. He again served as Co-ordinating Minister for Polptoca,Social, and Security Affairs in the Gotong Royong Cabinet under President Megawati Soekarnoputri. It was in his capacity as Coordinating Minister that he became internatinonally recognized for leading Indonesia's counter-terroismefoorst.

President Yudhoyono is also known for his activities in various civil society organizations. He serber as Cochairman of the Governing Board of the Partnership for the Governance Reform, a joint Indonesian International organizationfocused on the improvement of governance in Indonesia. He also serbed as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Brighten Institute, an institution devoted to studying the theory and practice of national develoopment policy.

President Yudhoyono is a keen reader and has authored a number of booksand articles including: Transforming Indonesia: Selected International Speeches (2005 ), Peace deal with Abeh is just a beginning( 2005 ), The Making of a Hero ( 2005), Recitalization of the Indonesian Economy: Businness, Polictics and Good Governance ( 2002) , and coping with the Crisis - Securing the reform (1999). Taman Kehidupan ( Garden of Life ) in his anthology published in 2004. President Yudhoyono speaks English fluently.

President Yudhoyono is a devoted Moslem. He is married to Madam Ani Herrawati. The first couple is blessed with two sons. The oldest is First Lieutenant Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, who graduated top in his class from the Millitary Academy in 2000 and is now serving at the elite 305th Airbone Battalion of the Army Strategic Reserves Comman (KOSTRAD ). The youngest, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, earned his degree in Economics from University, Australia.

8 February 2006