SBY: This Action is Beyond Moral Decency and Political Ethics, Really Ugly!

GENERAL ELECTION - JAKARTA. The Chairman of the High Assembly of the Democratic Party, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has finally made a move following Aagus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY's) failure to become the vice presidential candidate for Anies Baswedan.

SBY held a meeting of the High Assembly of the Democratic Party and broadcast it live through the Democratic Party's YouTube channel on Friday, September 1, 2023 evening. SBY issued a statement to express his views on the current political situation and the potential presidential-vice presidential coalition in the 2024 presidential election. 

In the high assembly meeting of the Democratic Party, SBY, who is also the sixth President of Indonesia, began his statement by revealing the surprise he experienced a few days ago. 

"To be honest, I also understand politics, having been a presidential candidate twice, I have never felt anything like three days ago." "I did not expect that actions to this extent, exceeding the limits of moral and political ethics, were harsh! This is really ugly" SBY responded to the decision of Anies Baswedan and the Nasdem party to unilaterally determine the vice presidential candidate in the 2024 election. 

Read Also: Anies Pilih Cak Imin, SBY: Sekarang Tidak Amanah, Bagaimana Nanti Jadi Pemimpin?

As we know, Anies Baswedan along with the Nasdem Party stated that they would appoint Muhaimin Iskandar, the General Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), to be the vice presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 election.

SBY felt that the political actions taken by Nasdem and Anies Baswedan exceeded the boundaries of moral and political ethics.

SBY recounted his meeting with the former Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, a few days earlier. Anies informed SBY that they would declare a coalition as a presidential and vice presidential pair agreed upon in early September 2023. 

However, three days later, SBY received a surpriseprise that Anies chose Muhaimin Iskandar, not his eldest son, who is also the General Chairman of the Democratic Party Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY).

"Several times Anies came here with great enthusiasm and extraordinary words. Night in Pacitan. With the incident three days ago, there was not a single word he conveyed to me and the chairman of the Democrats. As a parent, how did it turn out like this," said SBY.

Reaction of Democratic Cadres

SBY revealed that emotional reactions and messages flooded him after this incident. SBY stated that he had received messages from many parties, including Democratic cadres who were disappointed. 

SBY also discussed openness in the digital era today. He conveyed that most of the information available today is in the public spotlight in preparation for the 2024 Presidential Election. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity when discussing these issues.

SBY explained the existence of issues and desires from certain parties to form only two pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates in the 2024 Presidential Election. 

In addition, he mentioned political efforts to form a new coalition involving the Democratic Party, PKS, and PPP. This information is one of those influencing the current political situation.

"We are not a banned party, Democratic cadres are not terrorists, we should be treated the same as other citizens," he asserted.

That's why SBY invited all parties to jointly find the best solution in this situation. He hopes that all decisions taken will respect political ethics and moral integrity. He also emphasized the importance of approaching everything with a calm and rational heart.

On that occasion, SBY admitted that he had received various invitations from other coalitions such as from Presidential Candidate Prabowo Subianto, as well as from Presidential Candidate Ganjar Pranowo.

SBY expressed his appreciation for the invitations from various parties, such as from Ganjar and Puan Maharani, to collaborate. He considered these invitations as good actions in the context of transparent democracy and politics.

SBY ended his statement with the belief that with God's permission, they will find better partners in the political struggle ahead. He wants the principles of ethics and morals to be maintained in Indonesian politics. With a wise attitude, he hopes that the Democrats, the nation, and the country can achieve success together.

However, regarding the decision to join which coalition after leaving Anies' coalition, SBY asked all cadres not to rush in making decisions.