As the country grapples to cope with the affects of multiple natural disasters, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been busy defending himself and members of his family in his 900-page book, Selalu Ada Pilihan (There is Always a Choice).
In the book's 22nd chapter titled "Family and friends become victims eventually," Yudhoyono denies numerous allegations against First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, including those by Australian media, which said she had played an influential role in how Yudhoyono ran his administration and that she ran several business enterprises
"Should Australia be 'fair', [it] can explain — after concluding its wiretapping — whether or not she has an influential role in Indonesian politics, whether or not she interfered with the government's business," he wrote.
Yudhoyono also tries to counter the smear campaign against his son Edhie "Ibas" Baskoro Yudhoyono, especially his penchant for long-sleeved shirts.
"It was endless. My wife shed tears often […] Many questioned if Ibas' arms were full of tattoos or if he was a drug user," Yudhoyono writes, saying his son's clothing choice was influenced by his slight build.
He also revealed that Ibas and his wife, Siti Ruby Aliya Rajasa, had responded emotionally to the allegations by offering a challenge: "For those who are eager to prove Ibas' arms to be clean can come and prove it. And if they fail, they should apologize in every newspaper in Indonesia and across social media."
"Listening to their grievances, I tried to calm them down. After all, those behind the smear campaign are immoral. He or she is a coward. There is no way they would address the issue face to face."
Yudhoyono also vented anger at the people who labeled Ibas and Aliya's wedding ostentatious.
Aliya is the daughter of Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa, who is also chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), a key member of Yudhoyono's Democratic Party-led coalition.
Yudhoyono also denied that the marriage was political.
"It hurts when the marriage is said to be a political marriage," he wrote. "Up until now, my relationship with Hatta is professional. We don't mix it with family affairs."
In his book, Yudhoyono also questioned Indonesians cynicism over his accolades from the international community.
The President even writes a whole sub-chapter about the criticism he received after he accepted the International World Statesmen Award from a New York-based interfaith organization.
"Every time I got awards from the international community, there were always those who disagreed," he wrote. "[It] sometimes made me sad and embarrassed, for example, those who said [the awards] were arranged and engineered by [myself]."
Yudhoyono said that his decision to set up Twitter and Facebook accounts was partly to counter the agenda of conventional media.
"Obviously, after I became active on social media, I was relieved. I could speak to the people at any time and about anything. There is no bias or distortion. No one serves as a filter."
Outspoken lawmaker Bambang Soesatyo blasted Yudhoyono for releasing a book, which mostly concerns his personal affairs, while the country is beset by natural disasters, flooding in Jakarta and Manado and a volcanic eruption in North Sumatra.
"This is really unwise, while […] people are so badly affected by floods and volcanic eruption, he launches his book," he said.
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