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AKARTA: After drawing criticism for distributing books related to the First Family on Independence Day, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was criticized for promoting his latest album of songs on his official website, presidenri.go.id.

Indonesia Survey Institute political observer Burhanuddin Muhtadi said it could have been done under at the President’s request or by the people near Yudhoyono trying to curry favor.

“The promotion might have been done without [Yudhoyono’s] knowledge,” he said, as quoted by detik.com. “It is probably maneuvering by his political team.”

Burhanuddin said the President usually draws a strict line between personal and state websites, adding that the recent incidents were unethical. “It is like a personal assumption of power,” he went on.

Presidential spokesman Julian Pasha said Wednesday the promotion was launched due to popular requests to download the album for free through the official website. — JP