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Dem chairman alleges high-level conspiracy to oust him
“The DPC members were urged [to vote for an extraordinary congress] in exchange for a significant amount of money,” Agus said.
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Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (center), the eldest son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, greets Democratic Party supporters during his visit to West Aceh on March 5, 2019. (Antara/Syifa Yulinnas)
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emocratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has alleged that certain people both in and out of government have been orchestrating an attempt to replace the party’s leadership and use the party as a vehicle for a presidential bid in the 2024 election.
The party’s branch executive board (DPC) reported to the central board recently that they had been approached by current and former high-ranking members who were trying to convince them to oust Agus. DPC members have the power to elect the party’s chairman in a national congress.
Agus said the alleged conspirators aimed to obtain 360 votes from DPC members to trigger an extraordinary congress to replace the leadership of the party. He accused at least five current and former Democratic Party members, as well as officials known to be in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s inner circle.
“The DPC members were urged [to vote for an extraordinary congress] in exchange for a significant amount of money. The conspirators were sure that the movement would succeed because they claimed to be backed by some high-ranking government officials,” Agus said during a press briefing on Feb. 1. “We hope it’s not true, but the testimonies of the party members that we’ve talked with say so.”
He added that he had sent a letter to Jokowi asking for clarification regarding the testimonies.
Read also: Agus’ takeover of leadership opportunity for party consolidation: Experts
State Secretary Pratikno confirmed that he had received the letter but indicated that Jokowi would likely not officially reply.
