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Former first lady Ani Yudhoyono diagnosed with blood cancer
Democratic Party chairman and former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Wednesday that she was currently under intensive medical care at National University Hospital in Singapore.
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Former president and Democratic Party patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (left) and his wife Ani Yudhoyono show their ballots to reporters during the West Java gubernatorial election at a polling station near his residence in Cikeas, West Java, on Wednesday. (Courtesy of /DPP Demokrat)
F
ormer first lady Kristiani Herrawati, better known as Ani Yudhoyono, has been hospitalized in Singapore since Feb. 2 for blood cancer treatment.
Her husband, Democratic Party chairman and former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said on Wednesday that she was currently under intensive medical care at National University Hospital in Singapore.
“I ask for prayers from everyone that God will cure my beloved wife so that she can continue her activities back home,” he said during a press conference in Singapore.
He also thanked President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, the government and all well-wishers for the attention and support for his wife.
“As a husband, of course, I will remain at her side. I know that she is a strong person. She has accompanied me through thick and thin,” said Yudhoyono.
Democratic Party spokeswoman Imelda Sari said on Tuesday that the family and presidential medical team had met with the doctors who had been treating Ani in Singapore.
“Ibu Ani is in stable condition,” Imelda said in a statement.
She added that Yudhoyono, his eldest son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and his youngest Edhi Baskoro Yudhyono were at the hospital awaiting the results from the doctors’ observations over the past week.
Jokowi deployed the presidential medical team on Tuesday, Democrat executive Andi Arief posted on his Twitter account.
“Pak Jokowi has instructed the presidential medical team to work together with doctors in Singapore for Ibu Ani Yudhyono’s recovery, as mandated by the law,” Andi tweeted.
The head of the party’s advocacy and legal team, Ferdinand Hutahaean, said its members were all wishing a speedy recovery for Ani.
“We all are sad,” Ferdinand said on Tuesday as quoted by Antara.
Apart from party members and her family, Ani has also received well-wishes and flowers from state leaders, including Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian.
On Tuesday, Ani uploaded a photo of a greeting card to her Instagram account @aniyudhoyono. Her granddaughter, Almira “Aira” Tunggadewi Yudhoyono, had made the card and given it to her at the hospital.
“Dear Memo, hope you feel better and get well soon!” Aira wrote on the card, using the family's endearment for Ani.
Her sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren affectionately call her Memo and Yudhoyono “Pepo” on social media.
The former first lady is well known for her passion for photography and as an active social media user. Her regular updates on her activities with her husband and family have garnered 6.1 million Instagram followers.
She is known for being very outspoken and direct in showing her support and affection for her husband, sons and grandchildren, particularly when Agus Harimurti was running in the Jakarta gubernatorial election two years ago. (kuk/foy)
