Negative perception of SBY intensifies

The public’s negative perception of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has increased despite the priority programs he has promised to implement within his first 100 days in office, a research institute says.

Media research conducted by the Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) between Nov. 3 and Nov. 9 said the public’s negative perception of Yudhoyono rose to 64 percent from 54 percent the previous week.

LSI executive director Denny JA said Thursday the growing negative perception had resulted from the President’s failure to take quick action. For example, he remained silent over a tape recording that mentioned his name, which gave the impression he supported a plot to frame Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputies Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra M. Hamzah.

Yudhoyono did not file a defamation lawsuit over the case, unlike his tough legal measure against former deputy House of Representatives speaker Zaenal Marif who publicly accused him of marrying another woman when he was a military cadet.

“The President must have reason not to act,” Denny said. “But his silence has spread a rumor of his alleged role in the KPK case.”

His Democratic Party’s failure to join the House of Representatives’ proposal for an inquiry into the Bank Century scandal has exacerbated the negative image, the research found.

“The absence of the Democratic Party confirms the President and his circle opt to resist the public’s demands” Denny said.

Yudhoyono has also been under pressure to follow up recommendations from a fact-finding team he formed to probe the KPK debacle. The team suggested dropping the investigation of the KPK leaders due to lack of evidence. Instead, Yudhoyono allegedly handed the recommendations to the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office. Both law enforcement agencies have reportedly played parts in the alleged framing of the KPK.

“His first 100 days in office may pass without positive response from the public,” Denny said. “The new government’s achievements during the period will be overshadowed by the negative perception it has assumed, which has arisen from the KPK and Bank Century cases,” Denny said.