President fails to separate private and public space

A critic says that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has failed to separate his private and public space following the distribution of his family book during the ceremony of the 65th anniversary of Indonesian Independence at the State Palace.

Political expert Burhanuddin Muhtadi said Wednesday a state event should not be infiltrated by a personal agenda.

"Yudhoyono fails to separate private and public space this time. This can hurt his image he has built," Burhanudin said as quoted by kompas.com.

He said he doubted that the President did not know about the distribution of the book to guests.

"Do you think his [Yudhoyono] close aides will dare to distribute book without his consent?," Burhanuddin said.