Issue of Major Teddy Saluting Aguan, Palace Provides Official Clarification

Independent Report – Major Teddy Indra Wijaya, who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary (Seskab), has become the center of public attention after a viral video showed him saluting businessman Sugianto Kusuma, better known as Aguan. The video sparked widespread discussion on social media, provoking various reactions from netizens. Many criticized the act, deeming it inappropriate for a public official to salute a civilian businessman. However, this issue was immediately denied by the Presidential Palace, which explained that the person saluted by Major Teddy in the video was not Aguan. This clarification is important to set the record straight and address the speculation that had been circulating among the public.

Viral Video That Sparked Controversy

The video that caused the stir shows Major Teddy, dressed in a black suit with a black cap, walking towards someone standing in front of him. In the footage, Teddy salutes the person as if he were addressing a superior. The person Teddy salutes in the video wears civilian attire, and many people later identify him as Sugianto Kusuma, also known as Aguan.

After the video spread widely on social media, numerous comments emerged from netizens criticizing Teddy’s actions. Many considered it inappropriate for a military official, especially a Cabinet Secretary, to salute a civilian businessman. Shortly after, various accusations and speculations began to surface, which further worsened the situation. Netizens suspected that the act reflected a special relationship or closeness between Major Teddy and Aguan.

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Palace Clarification: The Person Saluted Was Not Aguan

In response to the viral video, the Presidential Palace swiftly provided clarification on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Yusuf Permana, Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretariat, explained that the person saluted by Major Teddy in the video was not Sugianto Kusuma (Aguan), as many had assumed.

“That is completely untrue, it’s not Aguan,” Yusuf confirmed in his statement.

Yusuf then clarified that the person saluted by Teddy was Major General (Ret.) Asro Budi, who had previously been Teddy’s superior during their time in the Infantry Center (Pussenif) of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). “He is Major General (Ret.) Asro Budi. He was the commander of Mr. Seskab when he was still serving in Pussenif,” said Yusuf, providing the necessary clarification to ease the tension that had built up in the public.

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Controversy and Clarification That Followed

The Palace’s clarification quickly spread and helped cool the speculation that had been circulating on social media. However, the video, which had already gone viral, continued to be a topic of discussion, and many people felt the need to further verify the event. Netizens who had previously believed that Teddy directed the salute toward Aguan felt somewhat disappointed by the clarification. They wondered why the video didn’t clearly identify the person Teddy saluted or how the video could have led to such a widespread misunderstanding.

Regarding the Aguan issue, which has been in the spotlight due to his involvement in the ongoing sea wall project debate, this video has only added to the controversy surrounding his name. Many have advised public officials to be more cautious in their actions, especially in the age of social media, where every move or statement can quickly trigger public opinion.

For those who took the time to delve deeper, the Palace’s explanation was enough to dispel the confusion. The person saluted by Major Teddy was a highly respected figure, Major General (Ret.) Asro Budi, who had been Teddy’s superior during his military service. This serves as a reminder for the public to be more critical and discerning when reacting to any circulating information, especially when it involves public figures or well-known individuals.

Closing and Hopes for the Future

Although the video has been debunked and the Palace’s clarification has been issued, this issue highlights how quickly information can spread on social media and ignite public reactions. In today’s open world, every action by a public official or a public figure can quickly become subject to public scrutiny. Therefore, transparency and swift, accurate clarification are essential to prevent the spread of misunderstanding.

It is important for all of us to be cautious when interpreting events, especially in this digital era. The Palace’s clarification, while effective in alleviating tension, underscores that clear and prompt communication is crucial to avoid baseless speculation.