"He is not the vice ambassador," noted Russian Embassy`s Press Attache Denis Tetyusin in a text interview with Antara here on Friday, Jan 18.
Asked about the foreigner`s relationship with Russia, whether he is a Russian diplomat or a common Russian national, the attache said, "No comments," to both the questions.
Netizens in Indonesia were curious about the particular foreign guest, after a video showed the presidential candidate number 02 seemed ignoring former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) before his speech, which took place at the Jakarta Convention Center on Monday night, January 14.
The foreigner was referred by the Democratic Party`s head of Advocate and Law Division Ferdinand Hutahean as the Russian vice ambassador to Indonesia. He also referred to him as a close friend of Prabowo.
The video of the incident has gone viral this week, with many netizens calling the foreigner the man who stole Prabowo`s attention from SBY.
SBY is the chairman of the advisory council of the Democratic Party, which is a member of Prabowo`s supporting coalition parties.
The video highlights an awkward situation when Prabowo left SBY amid a chat to welcome the foreign guest. Prabowo then walked with the foreigner, leaving SBY behind, to enter the hall.
But according to Hutahean, SBY neither felt awkward nor upset by the incident.
Another politician from Prabowo`s side, who commented on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the foreigner was a Russian diplomat. He attended the speech to represent his embassy, said the politician.
Prabowo`s campaign team did invite some foreign envoys in Jakarta to attend the speech, which was called "Indonesia Menang", or "Indonesia Wins".
Head of Prabowo-Sandi Media Center Ariseno Ridhwan said here on Monday, January 14, that they received 11 to 12 confirmations of attendance, including from the Netherlands Embassy and US Embassy in Indonesia.
Antara could not immediately contact the two embassies for comments.
Reporting by Azizah Fitriyanti, Imam Budilaksono
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
