Yudhoyono Yet to Back Family for President

VIVAnews – Chairman of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of the Democratic Party, Jafar Hafsah, said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has yet to stand behind any members of his family to run for President in the 2014 Election. 

“President SBY as the head of the family has declared that he has not yet supported his family as the presidential candidate,” said Jafar at the House of Representatives (DPR) on Friday. 

However, if the public desires SBY’s family as future Indonesian President, different answer would be given.  

“[Should] the public desire, there would be different frame of mind. For now, SBY will not nominate his family,” he said. 

Earlier, it was mentioned that the first lady, Ani Yudhoyono, and her brother, Pramono Edhi, are favored by the public by-polls to running for president. 

In fact, one of Golkar Party’s officials considered Pramono Edhie a potential figure to run for vice president. Chairman of the Advisory Council of Golkar Party, Akbar Tandjung, was the first to mention Pramono Edhie’s name as a candidate for vice president. 

When it comes to military criteria, a name like Pramono, the current Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, said Akbar, is a military figure deemed suitable to be paired with Aburizal Bakrie.

“Judging from his position in the military, now as the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, he's still Mr. SBY’s family. And it’s still possible for him to be appointed the Indonesian Military Commander, which will back his position in politics,” said Akbar.