Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said that the government will continue searching for and saving the victims of ill-fated Senopati Nusantara vessel which sank in Central Java waters on Saturday night en route from Cental Kalimantan to Semarang's Emas Port.
     "I keep contacting the relevant central government and regional administration officials to save our brothers and sisters," the President said at Baiturrahim mosque in the presidential palace compound during a religious gathering along with public figures.
     Tens of passengers perished  and some  others remained missing in the accident. The ship was believed to have  500 passengers on board.
     "The floods hitting a number of regions and the sinking of the ship are a test from the God Almighty," he said.
     According to him, natural disasters could be explained religiously, scientifically as well as technologically.
     Yudhoyono asked the people not to be confused by mysticism and to be firm in facing troubles.
     He also said he had received weather reports from the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency for the next few months.
     "An hour ago, I received the reports saying that rainfalls would still be high in January and February, with potential natural disasters," the head of state said.
     Based on the reports, sea waves in the rainy season may reach two to four meters high in the next few months. "This in a global phenomenon not only in Indonesia," Yudhoyono added.
     In his hopes to the people and figures, the President said that in 2007  leaders and public figures must work harder to solve the problems facing the people.
     "I call on leaders, wHich include myself, and public figures to work as hard as they could  and pay more attention to solve the problems," he added.
     Their main tasks in 2007 and even  in the years after that, are to create peace, eradicate unemployment and promote the people's welfare.

- Source : Antara News Agency, 1 January 2007