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SBY says his son’s candidacy is not security threat
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Vice President Jusuf Kalla (left) shakes hands with former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during their meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday. (Antara/Fadil)
F
ormer president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said the participation of his son, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, in the Jakarta gubernatorial election, was not a threat to national security.
Speaking in the press conference at his house in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday, Yudhoyono, who is also the Democratic Party chairman, implied that he and his family had often been on the receiving end of political attacks since Agus announced that he would take part in the gubernatorial race.
“Since Agus registered himself as a candidate for Jakarta governor, strong storms have attacked my family. In reality, it is Agus’ constitutional right [to run for governor]. I just ask for God’s protection, hoping that Agus is not considered a threat to national security,” Yudhoyono said.
During the press conference, he also denied reports that he was behind the massive demonstration against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama planned for Nov. 4, saying that the protest are a genuine expression of the people’s aspirations.
To assuage the situation, he demanded that the National Police proceed with taking legal action against Ahok. Ahok was reported by several Islamic organizations for speaking about Surah al Maidah, Verse 51 of the Quran when he visited the Thousand Islands regency recently.
Police have said that they are processing the organizations’ report that Ahok committed religious defamation
“The ball is now in the hands of law enforcers, not in the road [rally] or with President Jokowi or any political parties,” he said. (bbn)
