REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The Democrat Party has denied information published by The Australian, which revealed that First Lady Ani Yudhoyono played a big role in the Indonesian government, particularly at the ministerial level. 

"It is not true. There are also ministers who come from parties other than the Democrat Party. It is not possible for the First Lady to indulge in such actions," Deputy Chairman of the ruling Democrat Party Max Sopacua said on Monday, while commenting on the article, written based on information from Wikileaks.

The Australian in an article entitled, "Why Australias spies targeted SBYs wife," published on Saturday pointed out that Australias intelligence agencies had wire-tapped the mobile phone of Indonesias First Lady in 2009 because she had become the single most influential adviser to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. She was also suspected of hatching a presidential succession plan for her eldest son.

According to The Australian, the decision to target Ani Yudhoyonos phone was not taken on a whim, but was part of a deliberate and calculated strategy to learn more about the shifting balance of power inside Jakartas ruling elite. Ani Yudhoyono was also believed to have used her position as the First Lady to help her friends and disparage her foes, including Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla. 

The wire-tapping was carried out by the Defence Signals Directorate (now called the Australian Signals Directorate) in 2009. The United States National Security Agency is believed to have been aware of the surveillance and supportive of it.

Indonesia and Australias bilateral relations have been strained following the coming to light of a leaked document, which revealed that in 2009, Australia wire-tapped the private cell phones of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and several top Indonesian ministers.

In response to the report, Indonesia had suspended bilateral cooperation with Australia, including exchange of intelligence data, joint military exercises and joint cooperation to tackle the issue of boat people, which is a huge political issue in Australia.

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