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SBY to be toppled? Just relax, minister says
Contradicting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s allegation on a possible political move aimed to topple him, his chief security minister urged people to relax, dismissing any threat to the government
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ontradicting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s allegation on a possible political move aimed to topple him, his chief security minister urged people to relax, dismissing any threat to the government.
Under heavy criticism over Yudhoyono’s comments, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Marshal (ret) Djoko Suyanto urged people not to worry as the President’s statement was only a warning about possible chaos during rallies planned for Dec. 9 on International Anti-Corruption Day.
A number of civil society groups and antigraft activists have vowed to take the antigraft message to the streets across the country.
“There will be mass mobilization that could lead to chaos, but it’s not an indication [of an attempt to topple the President]. So, we should not overreact on this matter. As a former coordinating minister for politics, law and security himself, it was quite normal for him to speak out that way,” Djoko said.
On Sunday, Yudhoyono once again made public his fears of the possibility of a political move to topple him on the pretext of anti-corruption rallies.
“I prayed at night with my wife and family,” Yudhoyono said in a televised speech during his Democratic Party’s summit in Jakarta.
“What are these lies and character assassination against me for? My logic says these political movements want to discredit, shake and topple me in the short term.”
Yudhoyono was referring to allegations from several NGOs, particularly the Bastion of People’s Democracy (Bendera), to the effect that several people in Yudhoyono’s inner circle, including his son Edhie “Ibas” Baskoro, allegedly received money from the Bank Century bailout, which cost Rp 6.76 trillion (US$716 million).
Antigraft activists and observers accused the President of paranoia and playing his old card of being the victim to gain public support.
“Rather than expressing his fear of being toppled, the President should stand in the front line during the rally to boost efforts to fight graft,” said Danang Widoyoko of Indonesia Corruption Watch.
Other activists expressed fears that the President would stop the rally in a reminder of the past authoritarian regime.
Catholic priest Beni Susetyo, another noted activist, stressed the rally would be peaceful, with religious leaders also planning to participate.
National Intelligence Agency Chief Gen. (ret) Sutanto acknowledged the intelligence suspected several organizations having links to the media whose agenda might include to orchestrate a deterioration in the government’s relationship with these activists.
National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri said the police were ready to safeguard the rallies as long as they had already sent notification.
SBY should be in the front line in the rally to boost efforts to fight graft.
