Yudhoyono ‘Blunders’ Responding to SMS Allegations: Analyst

SBY PRESIDENCY

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should not have bothered to comment on a mystery text message containing allegations of corruption and inappropriate behavior, political analysts said on Monday.

Ibramsyah, from the University of Indonesia, said Yudhoyono should not have given the allegations legitimacy by acknowledging them.

“Yudhoyono should have just ignored it, as it was a slanderous text with no clear sender,” Ibramsyah said. “People would be sure that it was fake, so no need to sweat about it,” he told the Jakarta Globe.

He said Yudhoyono’s forceful rebuttal of the allegations was a waste of time and energy and had become counterproductive.

“He should be thinking about the people’s welfare and the judicial mafia that the country needs to fight.”

Ibramsyah said that as president, Yudhoyono should have been more relaxed in responding to the allegations and demonstrated a more commanding performance in front of the public.

Yunarto Widjaja, from Charta Politika, said Yudhoyono had overstepped by commenting on the text message.

“This is a blunder for Yudhoyono as in my opinion this could amplify the issue itself,” Yunarto said. “People will think this is an important issue ....”

He also criticized Yudhoyono’s communications team.

“They should know what the real issues that need attention are,” he said.

National Police, meanwhile, say they have formed a special team to trace the origins of the message.

The message originated in Singapore though rogue Democratic Party legislator Mohammad Nazaruddin has denied he was behind the claims.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/yudhoyono-blunders-responding-to-sms-allegations-analyst/444087

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