Jakarta – Golkar Party deputy treasurer Bambang Soesatyo criticized President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's comments on political dynasties, saying he needed to take a cold, hard look in the mirror.

"Given the fact that 15 members of his extended family are in the running for legislative candidate positions, SBY should really think twice before blurting out such a statement," Bambang said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

Edhi Baskoro Yudhoyono, his son; Sartono Hutomo, his cousin; and Hartanto Edhi Wibowo, his brother in law, are among those relatives with legislative aspirations.

Yudhoyono's criticism was aimed at Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah, who is also Golkar politician, whose brother Tubagus Chaeri Wardana was recently arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in connection to the graft case surrounding suspended Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar.

Sutan Bhatoegana of the President's Democratic Party rejected the allegations of Yudhoyono's political dynasty. He said the President was unaware that some members of his extended family members had even decided to run for legislative office. (dic)