Anggito denies links to political parties

Finance Ministry’s head of fiscal policy Anggito Abimanyu denied Thursday links with any political party, which marked the race for the finance minister post following the resignation of Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

Anggito was touted as one of the candidates for the ministerial post, which eventually went to Bank Mandiri president director Agus Martowardojo.

“That [political connection] is absolutely incorrect. I have no affiliation with either Golkar or PAN. That [allegation] upsets me,” Anggito told kompas.com on the sidelines of a House of Representatives plenary session to hear the government’s explanation on its fiscal policy in 2011.

Speculation was rife that Anggito stood a good chance of replacing Mulyani due to support from the Golkar Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN).

He lashed out at those who had connected him to certain political parties and dismissed allegations that he was close to leaders of the parties.

He denied reports that he was invited to meet with Golkar shortly before the President named Agus the new finance minister.

“It’s not true; the meeting never took place. I have never been invited by Golkar to discuss the issue. That’s slanderous,” Anggito said.