Indonesian president launches debut album

JAKARTA (AFP) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has found a new use for his presidential pen, composing an album of 10 heartfelt songs for release across the nation this week
"My Longing for You," a 50-minute album released on compact disc, features pop songs written by the president and performed by prominent Indonesian singers.

The cover shows Yudhoyono clutching an acoustic guitar, his solemn face looming over a line-up of musicians who perform songs such as "The Sun is Shining," "A Song Under the Moonlight," "The Power of God" and "Good Luck in Your Struggle."

The president is known to be an eager performer and does not shy away from the limelight when a microphone is at hand. He crooned in public during his campaign for the presidency in 2004.

A staff member at Jakarta's copyright office said the president had registered the 10 songs on the disc at a cost of 200,000 rupiah (22 dollars) each.

The copyright certificates were handed to the president at the launch on Monday evening and the songs will be protected for 50 years after his death.