Democrats Open Up About Anies' Uninvited Visit to SBY and AHY
The Democratic Party has opened up regarding the arrival of former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to meet with Indonesia’s sixth President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java. According to the Democrats, Anies was not invited.
As compiled by detikcom on Wednesday (25/3/2026), SBY held a halalbihalal event at his residence in Cikeas. Several figures attended, from the daughter of Indonesia’s fourth President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), Yenny Wahid, to Anies Baswedan.
The moment from the halalbihalal event was uploaded to the Instagram account of AHY’s special staff from the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Merry Riana, on Sunday (22/3). In her caption, Merry wrote that the photos uploaded were from the Lebaran moment in Cikeas.
“The first Lebaran in Cikeas. Please forgive my physical and spiritual shortcomings,” wrote Merry, as seen by detikcom on Tuesday (24/3).
Several moments were uploaded, one of which was Anies chatting with SBY and AHY. In that moment, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas) was seen near the three of them.
Another moment uploaded by Merry Riana was AHY singing on stage. Yenny Wahid also contributed a song at the event.
Anies’ Spokesperson Reveals the Meaning of the Meeting with SBY and AHY
Anies Baswedan, besides meeting SBY and AHY, also met Didit Hediprasetyo, son of President Prabowo Subianto, during the Lebaran moment. Anies’ spokesperson, Sahrin Hamid, revealed the meaning of the encounter.
“We see Mas Anies’ meeting with Pak SBY and Mas AHY in Cikeas during the Eid al-Fitr halalbihalal momentum as something positive. This is our noble national tradition of silaturahmi, mutual forgiveness during the Lebaran period,” Sahrin told reporters on Wednesday (25/3).
Sahrin acknowledged that in politics, meetings between figures can give rise to meanings and interpretations. Nevertheless, he viewed Anies’ meeting with SBY and AHY as part of silaturahmi.
“We also understand that in politics, every meeting certainly has meaning and gives rise to interpretations. However, the above meeting should be interpreted as an Eid silaturahmi moment among national figures,” he said.
He then mentioned the moment when Anies and his family took a photo with Didit Prabowo. Sahrin said Lebaran brings an atmosphere of mutual forgiveness for everyone.
“Likewise when Mas Anies and his family took a photo with Mas Didit, son of President Prabowo. Indeed, the momentum is for silaturahmi, celebrating Lebaran, and mutual forgiveness,” he revealed.
Democrats Say Anies Was Not Invited
The Democrats then opened up about Anies’ arrival. Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Renanda Bachtar said the halalbihalal event committee did not invite Anies, but as good hosts, they treated every guest well.
“The committee did not invite him. However, as good hosts, whoever comes, we treat them well,” Renanda told reporters on Wednesday (25/3).
Renanda said there was no conversation between Anies, SBY, and AHY in that meeting. He said the three of them only shook hands.
“There was no conversation. Only, when Anies came and approached Mas AHY and Pak SBY, they shook hands. That’s it,” he said.