First Lady reveals second grandchild is on the way

JAKARTA. Looking a bit surprised by an impromptu “Happy Birthday” sang by dozens of journalists at the State Palace on Friday, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono said the sweetest gift she had received on her 60th birthday was news that she would have a second grandchild this year.

Ani was referring to the unborn first child of her youngest son, 31-year-old Edhie “Ibas” Baskoro Yudhoyono, a lawmaker and the secretary-general of the Democratic Party founded by his father, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

According to the First Lady, Ibas and his wife, Siti Rubi Aliya Rajasa, daughter of Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa, are expecting their first child in December. The couple married on Nov. 24.

Ani’s first grandchild, Almira Tunggadewi Yudhoyono, is the child of her eldest son, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, whose wife is Annisa Pohan, daughter of former corruption convict Bank Indonesia deputy governor Aulia Pohan.

When reporters asked Ani what the President gave her for her birthday, she replied: “His gift is always a prayer… every year… a prayer for me,” the First Lady said.

Ibas was accompanying his mother when the two were greeted by journalists before entering the “RI 3” licensed car upon leaving the palace where she, close family members and relatives and a number of high-ranking officials celebrated Ani’s 60th birthday in the afternoon.

When asked what her birthday wishes were, the First Lady said, “I wished for good health so I can support the President, particularly in his governance and other state duties.”

Last month, Ani underwent nerve surgery in the neck in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the US. Two months earlier, she had gallstones removed at a Jakarta hospital.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said the celebration at the palace was a modest party attended by a limited number of guests and closed to the media.

Among the ministers attending the party were Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam and State Secretary Sudi Silalahi.

“On behalf of myself and the family of the State Secretariat, I wish the First Lady her happiest birthday today as well as good health and protection from God so she can always accompany the President,” Dipo said.

Ani was born in Yogyakarta on July 6, 1952. She is the third of seven children of the late noted military general, Sarwo Edhie Wibowo.

She married Yudhoyono on July 30, 1976 and has two sons. (Bagus BT Saragih/ The Jakarta Post)