SBY's Strategy: Withdraw From The Ministerial Seat, Focus On Winning The 2004 Presidential Election

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), who served as President of Indonesia from 2004-2014. (Facebook Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono)

JAKARTA - Political ethics Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is often tested when he becomes a minister. The first test was present during Gus Dur's administration. He resigned from the ministerial seat. The difference in views regarding the plan to dissolve the DPR/MPR is behind it.

His political ethics was again tested when he was the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menkopolkam) in the era of Megawati Soekarnoputri. He resigned from the position of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs because his role was not considered. Thejian was for SBY to be championed in the 2004 presidential election and won.

No one doubts SBY's existence in the military world. He was once listed as the best graduate of Military Academy in 1973. This narrative earned him the right to receive the Adhi Makayasa Award. Along with this achievement, SBY became a person who was ready to serve the sake of the nation and state.

He as a soldier is ready to be placed anywhere. The way of life made many people interested. President Abdurrahman (Gus Dur), one of them. Gus Dur, who recently served as President of Indonesia, has warned SBY to enter as one of his ministers.

SBY's experience in the military and defense world is the main reason. SBY was appointed Minister of Mines and Energy in the 1999-2000 era, then SBY was only appointed Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs in the era of 2000-2001.

SBY also carried out his duties optimally. Moreover, SBY was considered special by Gus Dur. The Indonesian number one sent his confidant Mahfud MD, who served as Minister of Defense (Menhan) to study with SBY.

Mahfud learned many valuable lessons. SBY made Mahfud, who initially did not have experience in the military and defense, gain knowledge. Even though the relationship between superiors and subordinates, Gus Dur-SBY did not go well.

Political choices separate the two. It all started with Gus Dur's plan to dissolve the DPR/MPR. The plan was not approved by SBY. The choice was taken. Sarwo Edhie's son-in-law chose to resign from his ministerial position.

"Actually, President Abdurrahman Wahid, January 2001, has been furious. He continues to be stabbed, blamed by the DPR. Me, Gus Dur, and Mrs. Mega, the three of us are talking. There are input from everywhere to freeze, just dissolve the DPR. But the president does not have the authority to dissolve the DPR and MPR.

"Initrue story, I was told to choose which ministerial positions. I went home and wrote a letter and chose to resign. Even so, I remained close to Gus Dur until the end of his life. He has the right because his ministers do not have one view of his president. That's political ethics. I'll tell you this, because there is a system," explained SBY as quoted by Detik.com, April 2, 2016.

President Gus Dur was impeached from his office. Megawati Soekarnoputri appeared as the successor to the throne of power since 2001. Megawati's own government is attracted to using SBY's services as minister. SBY was appointed Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

SBY's record of achievements was not small when he became Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs. SBY was heavily involved in the concrete completion in Aceh and Poso. However, this series of achievements did not make Megawati's government appreciate SBY's steps.

It all started with the issue that SBY will run for Presidential Candidate in the 2004 Presidential Election. The political aroma has been warm since 2003. One year the establishment of SBY's political vehicle, the Democratic Party. Megawati's government seems to isolate SBY's role as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

He was not involved in an important matter. This condition created a verbal war with people close to Megawati. This unpleasant condition made SBY want to consult directly to Megawati. SBY also wrote. However, the desired meeting never became real.

At its peak, SBY chose to resign from the ministerial seat on March 11, 2004. SBY's resignation received sympathy from all Indonesian people. His political ethics was praised by many. SBY's narrative is ostracized by the government everywhere.

In fact, resignation is like a tactic. A strategy that can make SBY's figure famous throughout the country. SBY can focus on making his dream of becoming Indonesia's number one by campaigning here and there.

SBY also faced Megawati in the 2004 presidential election. SBY, who was paired with Jusuf Kalla (JK), was able to win the political contestation. This result made SBY the 6th President of Indonesia.

"In the letter I also said, if I am nominated by political parties participating in the election, God willing, I am willing, I also beg to resign. I will do that even though the KPU has not yet determined it. If it does not resign, ethically it is not true.

"Actually I don't want to convey it to the press. That is my letter to the President. But State Secretary Bambang Kesowo opened it to the public. This is a problem that makes it difficult for me. I have to explain it because the public is already concerned," explained SBY when interviewed by Wanseslaus Manggut and his friends in Tempo magazine entitled Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2004).