A. Lin Neumann – It was the kind of crowd any presidential hopeful might envy, but the exclusive belated birthday party for World Bank managing director Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Saturday night in Jakarta did not turn out the way her supporters might have hoped.

In effect, Sri Mulyani used the occasion to pour cold water on recent efforts to draft her into the race for president in 2014, according to one of the attendees.

About 70 people, including some of Indonesia's most prominent intellectuals and reform-minded political figures, attended the dinner for the former finance minister, who was in town for Idul Fitri. But the gift they might have expected was not offered.

"You are being shallow," she told the crowd after speaker after speaker implored her to pick up the mantle being offered by the new SRI political party. "Now let's enjoy the party."

It was the first time she has spoken publicly about the effort to get her to run in 2014.

She explained to the crowd of friends and believers in her reform credentials, in good humor, that World Bank rules precluded senior bank officials from being involved in political activities.

She noted that the SRI party had raised eyebrows at the bank and that she had explained to her colleagues in Washington that she had nothing to do with the party.

Among those present were journalist and author Goenawan Mohamad, prominent priest and government critic Romo Benny Susetyo, pundit Wimar Witoelar, oilman Arifin Panigoro and lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, all of whom have been identified in various ways with the drive to put Sri Mulyani on the ballot.

The event, held at the Marley Bar in South Jakarta, was also attended by Sri Mulyani's family. Her birthday was on Aug. 26.

"Of course this doesn't mean it's over," said the source, also a prominent political figure, of Sri Mulyani's possible – if improbable – presidential bid. "But I think she doesn't want to be hijacked by this party."

"Everyone was disappointed, of course," the source said. "But it was a great party."