Ani Yudhoyono getting better: SBY

SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO - JAKARTA. Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday that the health condition of his wife Kristiani Herrawati, better known as Ani Yudhoyono, has been improving amid her intensive medical treatment.

The former first lady has been hospitalized at the National University Hospital in Singapore since Feb. 2 for leukemia.

Yudhoyono updated the public while welcoming vice president candidate Sandiaga Uno, who was visiting the hospital. Sandiaga was accompanied by his wife, Nur Asia Uno, and mother, Mien. R Uno.

“We are touched by the support from all Indonesian people. That has strengthened me and my family,” Yudhoyono said in a written statement.

He also apologized to some visitors who were not allowed to meet with his wife.

Sandiaga, the businessman-turned-politician, is the running mate of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto in the 2019 election. The pair has been endorsed by four political parties, including Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party.

“Alhamdulillah [Praise God] to hear from Yudhoyono that bu Ani has been upbeat. We all pray for her health because she is our inspiration,” Sandiaga said after the visit.

Ani has been visited by a number of high-profile politicians and government officials in the past week. On Thursday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and First Lady Iriana took time to visit her.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, along with their wives, also visited Ani on Feb. 15.

On Feb. 14, Prabowo visited Ani in Singapore, flying from Central Java where he was attending a campaign event. He was welcomed by Yudhoyono and oldest son Agus Yudhoyono, as well as by former coordinating economic affairs minister Hatta Rajasa, who is also Yudhoyono’s son's father-in-law and was Prabowo’s running mate in the 2014 presidential race.

Since his wife was hospitalized, Yudhoyono has halted his political activities and refrained from involvement in the election campaign to focus on Ani’s treatment.

Yudhoyono’s family, including Agus, his wife Annisa Pohan, his youngest son Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono and Edhie's wife Siti Ruby Aliya Rajasa, have been sharing updates on Ani’s condition on their Instagram accounts.

The four of them took turns taking care of Ani at the hospital, according to one update.