AHY: SBY Has Now Chosen to Become an Artist
Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has spoken about the stance of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono — also a co-founder of the Democratic Party — since leaving office. According to Agus, his father has chosen to become an artist since stepping down 12 years ago.
After retiring, Agus said, SBY chose not to manoeuvre extensively in public life. "He has never gone anywhere; he has always been with us, but has indeed chosen to spend more time as a teacher, mentor, and also an artist," AHY said at the Democratic Party's Lunar New Year celebration at Djakarta Theater, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
AHY added that SBY prefers to pursue his artistic hobbies, such as painting. "He now chooses to be an artist, expressing his love for this country," said the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure.
He prayed for SBY's continued health and happiness. AHY also expressed hope that SBY would continue to guide Democratic Party cadres on the political road ahead. "May you also continue to be willing to oversee the struggle of the nation's next generation, the next generation of the Democratic Party, to realise what are certainly noble aspirations for the future," AHY said.
SBY currently still holds a position within the Democratic Party as chairman of the party's high council. He attended the Democratic Party's Lunar New Year celebration at Djakarta Theater alongside his two sons — AHY and Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, who is also the Democratic Party's representative in the People's Consultative Assembly.
At this year's Lunar New Year event, the Democratic Party also planned to auction one of SBY's paintings. The painting has a Lunar New Year theme, reflecting this year's Fire Horse zodiac sign. SBY painted a blue horse galloping with a fiery mane. According to Agus, the auction proceeds from his father's painting would be donated to Chinese-Indonesian communities in need.
A number of prominent figures attended the Democratic Party's Lunar New Year celebration, including Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana; Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Stella Christie; Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya; businessmen James Riady and Siti Hartati Murdaya; and former badminton player Susi Susanti.
This year's Democratic Party Lunar New Year event was organised by Merry Riana — a motivational speaker who recently joined the party — as committee chairwoman. According to Merry, the event marked the first time the Democratic Party had held a Lunar New Year celebration.
After retiring, Agus said, SBY chose not to manoeuvre extensively in public life. "He has never gone anywhere; he has always been with us, but has indeed chosen to spend more time as a teacher, mentor, and also an artist," AHY said at the Democratic Party's Lunar New Year celebration at Djakarta Theater, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
AHY added that SBY prefers to pursue his artistic hobbies, such as painting. "He now chooses to be an artist, expressing his love for this country," said the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure.
He prayed for SBY's continued health and happiness. AHY also expressed hope that SBY would continue to guide Democratic Party cadres on the political road ahead. "May you also continue to be willing to oversee the struggle of the nation's next generation, the next generation of the Democratic Party, to realise what are certainly noble aspirations for the future," AHY said.
SBY currently still holds a position within the Democratic Party as chairman of the party's high council. He attended the Democratic Party's Lunar New Year celebration at Djakarta Theater alongside his two sons — AHY and Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, who is also the Democratic Party's representative in the People's Consultative Assembly.
At this year's Lunar New Year event, the Democratic Party also planned to auction one of SBY's paintings. The painting has a Lunar New Year theme, reflecting this year's Fire Horse zodiac sign. SBY painted a blue horse galloping with a fiery mane. According to Agus, the auction proceeds from his father's painting would be donated to Chinese-Indonesian communities in need.
A number of prominent figures attended the Democratic Party's Lunar New Year celebration, including Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana; Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Stella Christie; Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya; businessmen James Riady and Siti Hartati Murdaya; and former badminton player Susi Susanti.
This year's Democratic Party Lunar New Year event was organised by Merry Riana — a motivational speaker who recently joined the party — as committee chairwoman. According to Merry, the event marked the first time the Democratic Party had held a Lunar New Year celebration.