SBY Outraged by 'Cowardly,' 'Libelous' SMS

SBY PRESIDENCY

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday lambasted as “slander and character assassination” a mysterious text message that accused him and other members of the Democratic Party of committing grave wrongdoings.

Over the weekend, a text message claiming to be from fired Democrat treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin was sent to journalists and editors. It accused key members of the ruling party such as Yudhoyono, party chairman Anas Urbaningrum, Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Andi Mallarangeng and presidential staff Daniel Sparingga of being involved in scandals and corruption cases.

“The libel was outrageous and demeaned myself,” the president said at Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport before he left for Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

He called the mysterious sender “irresponsible” and a “coward.”

The message, the president said, accused him being involved in “inappropriate” conduct, raised the Bank Century scandal again, and claimed that the Democrats have a bank account worth Rp 47 trillion.

“The [accuser] must explain, and not the other way around,” Yudhoyono said, adding that it was important for the public to know the truth behind the allegations. “Come out like a knight, face each other like knights.”

Nazaruddin, who is in Singapore, has denied sending the message.

Yudhoyono also urged the media to be “prudent” in treating the incident. “Imagine if an unclear source is used as a news source, what will the people get?” he said.

Yudhoyono said that when the media criticizes the government, that is part of freedom of speech. “But when it comes to ruining one's name, [the media] should be held accountable.”

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/sby-outraged-by-cowardly-libelous-sms/444008

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