SBY's Fire Horse Painting Sells for Rp 6.5 Billion at Auction

Jakarta — Indonesia’s sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), created a painting of a fire horse to mark the 2026 Lunar New Year.

The painting was subsequently auctioned at the Democratic Party’s Imlek celebration at Djakarta Theater, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

SBY explained his reasons for choosing the fire horse as the subject for the auction piece. He said the fire horse symbolises strength and spirit.

“The Fire Horse, as I understand it, is associated with or depicted as symbolising strength, energy, determination, and spirit — leading towards a great achievement,” SBY said.

While creating the painting, SBY said he prayed for the Indonesian nation.

“I prayed for the Indonesian nation, that through the spirit of the Fire Horse, there would arise determination, strength, and togetherness to advance our country,” he said.

In his painting, SBY rendered the fire horse in blue. The Chairman of the Democratic Party’s High Council explained that blue symbolises tranquillity and a sense of calm.

“Fire by its very nature burns. Therefore, in this painting, I placed the Fire Horse in a serene, peaceful environment. The blue here symbolises peace,” SBY said.

He also drew a connection to the United Nations flag, which is likewise blue.

In his imagination, SBY said the blue colour on the Fire Horse symbolises determination and strength to achieve goals within a life of tranquillity.

“The UN flag is blue because it also represents peace. Serenity, tranquillity. So my imagination is of a Fire Horse symbolising determination, strength, and energy to achieve worthy goals, but within a serene way of life,” he said.

Through this painting, SBY also expressed his hope that the Indonesian nation can progress towards Golden Indonesia 2045 in a state of peace.

“God willing, the Democratic Party’s struggle will be conducted in serenity. The Indonesian nation, which continues to build itself towards Golden Indonesia 2045, in my dream and my hope, will also do so in serenity and peace,” he said.

The auction opened with a starting price of Rp 200 million. A number of Democratic Party cadres and invited guests then bid against one another for the painting.

The bidding ultimately concluded at a highest price of Rp 6.5 billion. The winning bid was submitted by Dato Low Tuck Kwong, the businessman behind coal mining company PT Bayan Resources Tbk.