President: no need for excessive worry about direction of reform efforts

"Feeling worried is OK, being alert is a must, concern about the direction in which things are going is also alright. But if we are overly worried and have no confidence in those carrying out their mandate in running the country, that is certainly not good," he said.

He said those in charge of national and state affairs very much loved and were very loyal to the nation."We also put our lives on the line for the nation on many occasions," he added.

The president said it was understood that every generation had faced a specific challenge, played an historical role that was unique so that the problems confronting the nation also differed from generation to generation.

For instance, he said, the 1908 generation which lived in an extremely pluralistic Indonesia developed a strong desire for national awakening.