Jakarta – Golkar Party politician M. Misbakhun, who is slated to be sworn in as a legislator in October, alleged on Friday that State Palace officials had used state funds to buy copies of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's flopped albums.
Misbakhun said that he was suspicious about the exorbitant budget allocation for the upcoming celebration of the country's 69th Independence Day at the palace on Aug. 17.
"The Rp 11.3 billion [US$1.3 million] allocation for such a celebration is just too much and is a waste of the public's money," said Misbakhun, who was also among the initiators of a legislative investigation into the controversial Bank Century bailout.
"Apparently, there is also an allocation in the budget to buy SBY's books and albums that did not sell well on the market. These goods will be given out as souvenirs to participants attending the Independence Day celebration," he said.
Given the indications of budget abuse, Misbakhun urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to probe the celebration spending.
Last week, Yudhoyono launched his fifth album, which included the song "Lonely night in Cipaganti" that he composed personally in tribute to his early relationship with First Lady Ani Yudhoyono.
Based on his 2011 tax return, submitted in 2012, Yudhoyono received Rp 107 million in royalties from his albums and books. Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha could not be reached for comment. (ren)