SBY Calls NasDem And Anies' Steps Very Rude: It's Really Beautiful

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono/DOK VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - Chairman of the High Council of the Democratic Party, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), said that the steps taken by the NasDem Party and Anies Baswedan to the Coalition for Change for Unity were very harsh and inappropriate, especially in moral principles and political ethics.

SBY admits that he understands that the world of politics is full of strategy, tactics, and tactics. However, during his experience of two fights in the presidential election (pilpres), he never found a rude attitude like that of the NasDem Party and Anies.

"I understand, we all understand, politics is indeed full of tactics, full of tactics, and many ways; but I don't think that this action so far, in my opinion, exceeds the limits of moral propriety and ethics in politics. Yes, rude, if you can use the term in English is really ugly," said SBY when delivering directions at the Democratic Party High Council Session at Puri Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, reported by ANTARA, Friday, September 1.

Therefore, he also reminded the Democratic Party officials not to take inappropriate, unethical and immoral ways in politics.

SBY also revealed his conversation with a number of his closest colleagues who had questioned the Democratic Party's decision to join the Change Coalition to support Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential election.

"Actually, some friends have reminded me for a long time, both from Democrat cadres and from outside the Democrats. Here, Mr. SBY really believes in that person, or from those people? I answered with good presumption, with good prejudice, I believe. Please look later, the important thing is I have reminded," said SBY, referring to the opinions of his friends in his close circle.

SBY said there was more than one who reminded him to reconsider the Democratic Party's decision to support Anies and join the Change Coalition.

"Think we were wrong this time, but we studied. Hopefully we will not be wrong again in the future and hopefully with God's permission and our efforts, we will also not lose later," said SBY.

He also conveyed the contents of his meeting with Anies and Team 8 of the Change Coalition exactly a week ago on Friday (25/8).

During the meeting, Anies promised the Coalition for Amendments to the declaration of a presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate to be promoted on September 1, 2023.

"What we got was something surprising; and I am a parent, several times Mr. Anies came here with extraordinary enthusiasm, with extraordinary good words, in Cikeas twice, in Malang, in Pacitan. With such incidents, no words were conveyed to me and of course to our general chairman," he said.

SBY regretted Anies' attitude, who did not directly convey his decision to elect Muhaimin to himself and the Chairman of the Democratic Party Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY).

Therefore, he understands the expressions of disappointment among Democratic Party cadres who are shown in various ways, including through messages sent to SBY.

He said there was a message saying that the Democratic Party was hit by a practical joke from "musang haired sheep".

"The sheep-haired musang in front of you is sweet, kind, gentle, full of friendship; but behind that if we are weak, careless, don't let our guard down, we will be annexed and eaten to the end," he said.

SBY chaired the Democratic High Council Session accompanied by Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, his eldest son, then Andi Alfian Mallarangeng who was the Secretary of the Democratic High Council.

The trial began with SBY conveying facts related to the unilateral steps of the NasDem Party and Anies delivered by Iftitah Sulaiman, as the envoy of the Democratic Party in Team 8 of the Change Coalition.

SBY then continued to provide direction to the administrators, cadres, and members of the High Council Session. After delivering the directive for more than 30 minutes, the High Council Session was suspended for rest.