Yudhoyono Leaves Behind a Mixed Legacy

TODAY

19 July 2014

Outgoing Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will end his second term in office leaving behind a mixed legacy and seeing his popularity dwindle since coming into office 10 years ago on a wave of strong public support over his campaign promise to crack down on the country’s notorious corruption.

But while the 64-year-old, also known as SBY, has been praised for his achievements — including securing a peace deal with Aceh separatists and bringing stability to the country by clamping down on terrorism — analysts said Mr Yudhoyono’s failure to rein in the rampant corruption that has ensnared some of his party members has been the dark spot on his tenure.

He came into power on the back of a stunning 61 per cent majority win at the 2004 presidential elections and won the 2009 election by around the same margin. But in recent years, his reputation has slumped.

… “SBY’s second-term has been marked by criticism of a lack of leadership, with SBY not showing much direction in decision-making,” said Mr Yang Razali Kassim, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).

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