THE PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

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 Indonesia in 2004, SBY, running on a platform for "more justice, more peaceful, more prosperous, and more democratic Indonesia, was elected as the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, gaining a landslide 60% of the popular vote over the incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

President Yushoyono 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 continued his study and earned a Doctorate Degree in Agricultural Economics from Bogor Institute of Agriculture, West Java, Indonesia, in 2004.

During his 27-years distinguished military service, President Yudhoyono took an extensive range of training, education and courses, both in Indonesia and overseas. President Yudhoyono also held numerous important posts and positions as troop and territorial commander, staff officer, trainer and lecturer. He served both in field and at headquarters, as well as missions overseas. He was the Commander of the United Nations Military Observers and Commander of the Indonesian Military Contingent in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1995-1996.

Prior to being elected, President Yudhoyono hel various important government positions, including Minister of Mining and Energy and Coordinating Minister for Political, Social, and Security Affairs in the National Unity Cabinet under President Abdurrahman Wahid. He again served the in latter post in the Gotong Royong Cabinet under President Megawati Soekarnoputri. It was in his capacity as Coordinating Minister for Political, Social, and Security Affairs that he became internationally recognized for leading Indonesia`s counter terrorism efforts.

President Yudhoyono is keen reader and has authored a number of books and articles, including Revitalization of the Indonesian Economy: Business, Politics and Good Governance (2002), Taman Kehidupan (Garden of Life) is his anthology published in 2004. President Yudhoyono speaks English fluently.

President Yudhoyono is a devoted Muslim. He is married to Madam Ani Herawati. The first couple is blessed with two sons.