Lupa Kata Sandi? Klik di Sini

atau Masuk melalui

Belum Memiliki Akun Daftar di Sini


atau Daftar melalui

Sudah Memiliki Akun Masuk di Sini

Konfirmasi Email

Kami telah mengirimkan link aktivasi melalui email ke rudihamdani@gmail.com.

Klik link aktivasi dan dapatkan akses membaca 2 artikel gratis non Laput di koran dan Majalah Tempo

Jika Anda tidak menerima email,
Kirimkan Lagi Sekarang

SBY: I'm Just a Unifying Symbol  

Translator

Editor

19 October 2018 23:40 WIB

SBY at the Presidential Palace Complex. TEMPO/Subekti

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Reeling from the impact of its top officials being charged with corruption, the Democrat Party's popularity went into free-fall. The recent indictment of chairman Anas Urbaningrum by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was a nightmare, just a year before the next general and presidential elections. In 2009, the Democrats won big in the polls, but since then infighting among its factions has eroded its gains.

But Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the 64-year-old retired four-star general, refuses to let the party he founded 10 years ago, flounder. He took over the party's reins by acclamation at an extraordinary congress in Bali at the end of last month. He referred to his action as a 'sacrifice' and promised to hold his position only temporarily.

Yudhoyono now holds three positions simultaneously in the party. He is chairman, advisory board chairman and head of the high council. Meanwhile, he must still govern the country for another year and a half. "I am just a symbol," he told Tempo, in an exclusive, 90-minute interview last Friday (4/5) at the presidential palace. Excerpts:

On whether he was relieved with the fact that the KPK Ethics Committee found no link with the palace in the case of leaked KPK document ordering the investigation of Anas Urbaningrum

I have been interacting with the KPK since the time of Taufiequrachman Ruki, then with Antasari Azhar and recently with Abraham Samad. I respect the KPK, as I do the Supreme Court and such institutions. I have never intervened in KPK (affairs), even when my in-law was indicted and later served his sentence.

I don't even communicate by telephone. When I meet the KPK leaders, I always do it openly, always accompanied by ministers, bringing with me a clear agenda. This is my way of preventing rumors and improper charges.

Following Anas's indictment, a draft KPK letter ordering his investigation was leaked. I stayed away, keeping my distance. I gave the the KPK the opportunity to explain to the public as openly as possible. It became very clear the palace was not involved.

I have been a victim of slander many times since 2004. If I reacted to them all, I wouldn't be able to work.

On the fact that Anas immediately sought out to attack him after being indicted

That shocked me. I never thought Anas would do anything like that. Please note, we love Anas. Ever since he joined the party, we have supported him. I even helped Anas to win in his constituency of Blitar during the 2009 elections. When he later became chairman, we went all-out to help him. It is true that at the congress, I thought he would be more appropriate as secretary-general. But when he announced he wanted to move forward, I was pleased to let him do so. We accepted him as the new chairman. But when he was indicted, his statements seemed to be attacking, which we never imagined he would do.

On why he agreed to be Democrat's Chair

I refused the chairmanship at the 2005 and 2010 congresses. Before the recent extraordinary congress, I asked that an option be found, so that I, my wife and Ibas would not have to be involved. We suggested some people. What happened was that some cadres came prepared. They threatened, "If Pak SBY comes forward, we will quit. Otherwise, we will go forward." If (the party) splits, we would never rise again. That is why I sacrificed myself: it's better that I am attacked as someone who is power-hungry, than let the party dissolve. But because of my oath (as president) to the people, there must be someone else to run the party's daily operation. So, the task of the chairman will, for the time being, be carried out by the executive director.

On how people still think he is centralizing power

That would be the case if I handled everything. I do not, I delegate (tasks). There is now an executive board in place, a deputy chairman of the high council and an executive director. In fact, right now I am preparing to hand over the positions of Chair of the Advisory Board and Chair of the Honorary Council to somebody else. So, in practice I am just a unifying symbol. When the elections are over with and we are ready for a congress, it will be (up to) the congress.

On possibilities of a cabinet reshuffle

We will definitely have a new finance minister. Whether there will be other changes, I still need to think about them. What I want is that the cabinet, as we approach the 2014 general elections, will not have many changes, because we need to concentrate and work optimally.

The TNI commander and National Police chief are sure to be replaced in August or September. The TNI commander faces retirement, although the Police chief's turn will be in December next year. But because the Police chief has an important job to do in securing the elections, his replacement cannot be anywhere near that period.

On whether or not TNI-Police incidents, such as the one at Ogan Komering Ulu, become a source of worry

Such incidents are bound to happen so long as there is a TNI and a Police Force. In fact, one year ago, it was much worse. It's not a good example. I actually see the two commanders as quite close, also between the military regional commanders and regional police chiefs. But the problem I see is at the level of field commanders. They should be more sensitive to the situation they are in, to unusual incidents so that they can prevent any disputes or clashes.

On the recent attack on Cebongan Prison

I was informed less than six hours after it happened. The TNI commander and the Police chief both reported it to me. My instructions were clear: investigate, expose and find the perpetrators. Enforce the law firmly but fairly.

Accompanied by his State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and his spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha, Yudhoyono also spoke of fuel subsidies, his worry about the Agriculture Ministry, and asserted that his wife has no intention to nominate herself as presidential candidate. The complete interview can be read in this week's edition of Tempo English magazine (Apr. 8-14).



Anies Baswedan, AHY Meet and Discuss State Issues in East Java

2 Juni 2023

Anies Baswedan, AHY Meet and Discuss State Issues in East Java

Democratic Party chairman AHY invited future presidential candidate Anies Baswedan to an East Java trip.


Former President SBY Completes Prostate Cancer Surgery in U.S.

12 November 2021

Former President SBY Completes Prostate Cancer Surgery in U.S.

Former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, or SBY, completes his early-stage prostate cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.


SBY to Undergo Treatment Abroad after Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

2 November 2021

SBY to Undergo Treatment Abroad after Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Former Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), is diagnosed with prostate cancer.


SBY Talks of Leadership Maneuvers at Democrat Party; Moeldoko Comments

26 Februari 2021

SBY Talks of Leadership Maneuvers at Democrat Party; Moeldoko Comments

Moeldoko was reluctant to respond to the statement of the Democrat Party founder SBY regarding the leadership maneuvers at the party.


SBY: Democrat Party Is Not For Sale

25 Februari 2021

SBY: Democrat Party Is Not For Sale

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), Chairman of the Democrat Party's High Council, asked outsiders not to interfere with his party's internal affairs.


SBY: Govt Must Not Fail Covid-19 Vaccination Program

8 Januari 2021

SBY: Govt Must Not Fail Covid-19 Vaccination Program

SBY says the news about numerous Covid-19 vaccinations around the globe sends an uplifting message of hope.


SBY's In-law Pramono Edhie Wibowo Passes Away

13 Juni 2020

SBY's In-law Pramono Edhie Wibowo Passes Away

Pramono Edhie Wibowo, brother in-law of Indonesian sixth President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), passed away at 65.


Jokowi, Jusuf Kalla Visit SBY's Passing Mother

31 Agustus 2019

Jokowi, Jusuf Kalla Visit SBY's Passing Mother

Jokowi arrived at 11:35 and received by SBY himself and son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono.


AHY Attends Megawati Open House, Relationship Improves

6 Juni 2019

AHY Attends Megawati Open House, Relationship Improves

Son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), was present during Megawati open house event.


Flowers Fill Ani Yudhoyono's Residence to Welcome Her Arrival

1 Juni 2019

Flowers Fill Ani Yudhoyono's Residence to Welcome Her Arrival

The body of the former Indonesian First Lady Ani Yudhoyono is expected to arrive home tonight at 23:00.