Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Special Staff for Communication of the President, Johan Budi, denied that the palace had links with the Asia Sentinel, referring to reports of a conspiracy to steal US$12 billion worth of state money.

"I don`t think there is a relationship at all; where is the conclusion of the backing? There must be valid data or correlation, and then it can be concluded that there is a relationship with the Palace," Budi said, answering reporters` questions at the Presidential Palace complex here on Tuesday.

He hoped that all parties would not directly link the Asia Sentinel report, which touched on the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration, with the Palace.

"I don`t think there is a problem between the Palace and SBY. The relationship is fine," said Budi.

Regarding the photos circulated of President Moeldoko`s Chief of Staff with the Asia Sentinel Editor, Budi said he was not aware of the meeting.

"Maybe there are lots of meetings. That`s the term, `jumping to conclusions`," he said.

Budi emphasized that there was no interest between the Palace and SBY and that the relationship between the sixth President of the Republic of Indonesia and President Joko Widodo was good.

"There is no contradiction between Pak SBY and Pak Jokowi," he said.

Previously, in its report, the Asia Sentinel news page mentioned a conspiracy to steal $12 billion of state money involving 30 state officials and washing it through international banking.

The report, entitled "Indonesia`s SBY Government: Vast Criminal Conspiracy" written by John Berthelsen stated that there was a link between the Democratic General Chairman of SBY and the Century Bank case.

Editing by Eliswan Azly

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
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