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SBY's 'defensive' gesture over rally accusations regrettable, say activists
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Self-defense — Democratic Party chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono speaks during a press conference at his private residence in Puri Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, on Nov. 2. (Antara/Yulius Satria Wijaya)
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s a former president and political elite, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should have used his influence to maintain peace instead of conveying “defensive statements” to deny being behind a planned Nov. 4 rally, prodemocracy activists have said.
They cited Yudhoyono’s recent public statement accusing the government of producing a false intelligence report about him and his family. According to the activists, Yudhoyono’s statement contributed to nervousness ahead of the planned large-scale rally by a number of Islamic organizations, including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and its supporters, against inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
Jakarta-based human rights watchdog Imparsial’s director, Al Araf, said Yudhoyono should have privately shared his concerns with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on rumors that he was behind the upcoming rally, instead of openly addressing the issue by saying the government had used a false intelligence report.
“He [Yudhoyono] has promoted anxiety by addressing the issue in public. As a political elite, he should have eased tensions instead of fueling the fire," Al Araf said. "All elites must work to maintain stability."
(Read also: Yudhoyono meets with Jokowi’s men, quashing rally rumor)
On Wednesday, Yudhoyono defended himself over accusations of masterminding the planned demonstration. “It is slanderous and insulting for [a party] to accuse certain people or political parties of [masterminding the rally] in the name of intelligence analysis.”
Legal activist and lawyer Julius Ibrani of the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) said Yudhoyono had taken advantage of anti-Ahok driven tensions by portraying himself as a victim.
"He was the leader of this country for 10 years. He is aware of the damage of politicizing racial and religious sentiments but he has used it to defend himself.” (ebf)
