Indonesian officials said Friday that they understand and are not disappointed by President Barack Obama’s decision to postpone his trip to Asia over a crucial health care vote in Washington, while Australia’s leader said he too sympathized with Obama’s situation.

Obama already had delayed his trip to Indonesia and Australia by several days in a bid to rally last-minute votes for his health care bill. The massive $940 billion bill, which would expand coverage to millions, comes to a vote in the House of Representatives on Sunday.

Obama was scheduled to arrive Tuesday in Jakarta, where he had spent part of his childhood, and then was to fly to Canberra for a whirlwind one-day trip. The White House said he would now reschedule the visit for June.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said at a briefing that the government “fully understands” the reason behind the delay and was “not disappointed.”

“Even though we’ve been prepared for the visit, (the delay is) not the end of the world,” he said.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Thursday that Obama regretted having to delay the trip, but told the leaders of both nations that health care is a crucial priority.

“The president believes right now, the place for him to be is in Washington seeing this through,” Gibbs said.

Obama had been under increasing pressure from Democrats in recent days to postpone the trip.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Obama would have a more relaxed visit to Australia when he comes in June than the less than 24-hour stopover that had been planned for Canberra next week.

“We had a good conversation, but it’s going to be good to see him later in the year,” Rudd told Seven Network television, saying Obama had called him early Friday. “He’d like to have a more relaxed visit than the 24-hour whip in, whip out that the last one had come down to.”

Rudd said he told Obama he sympathized with his plight, having had his own issues with a problematic Senate where his ruling Labor Party does not hold a majority.

“What he’s trying to do is get this through the American Congress — he’s having a huge job,” he said.

Rudd added that “I’m going to be happy anytime the president chooses to visit. … I’m pretty relaxed about that. It’d be nice to have him, Michelle and the kids.”

Associated Press