•    HOME   
•    NEWS   
•    BUSINESS   
•    INTERNATIONAL   
•    TECH   
•    SPORTS   
•    LIFE & TIMES   
•    OPINION   
•    MY JAKARTA   
•    BLOGS   

The principal of Barack Obama's former elementary school, SDN Menteng 01, said the postponement of the US president's upcoming visit was a blow.

“We have prepared everything but if it keeps getting postponed, we are disappointed,” Principal Hasimah told detik.com on Friday.

However, Hasimah hoped Obama would be able to visit the elementary school in June with his wife and children.

“Maybe when his family comes along, he will consider visiting,” she said.

Obama was initially scheduled to come to Indonesia and Australia with his family during his daughters' spring break. That trip was postponed three days to March 23, and his family was to stay home. The White House said Obama would not visit his former schools or homes on the trip.

Late on Thursday, Jakarta time, the presidential visit was moved again to June due to the struggle to pass Obama's landmark health insurance bill in Washington.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Obama told him by phone that he wanted to bring his family for a “more relaxed” visit later in the year.

Hasimah said she understood that as a head of state, Obama could not leave his country when critical decision was about to be made.

“He postponed it for a fundamental reason in his country,” she said.

Obama's aunt from his father's side, Tien Soemitro, said she was not unhappy with the postponement.

“I'm not disappointed that Barry (Obama) delayed his visit. I understand he has a situation there so it would be much better if he postponed it,” said Tien, adding that she hoped to see her nephew in June.

“I miss Barry so much. The family has prepared a small gift for him when he finally comes in June,' she said.

JG, Bloomberg