‘These are fake’: Indonesian official, whose wife has been flexing designer handbags on social media, denies he’s rolling in it

Riau Province Regional Secretary SF Hariyanto showing to the media on March 20 that his wife’s handbags are fake. Photo: Handout
Riau Province Regional Secretary SF Hariyanto showing to the media on March 20 that his wife’s handbags are fake. Photo: Handout

Chanel? More like Channel.

An Indonesian official has publicly denied that his family is rolling in dough after photos emerged of his wife flexing her designer handbags. He is one of the latest being targeted by social media activists amid a trend in Indonesia in which jet-setting public servants living beyond the means of their modest pay are being exposed and shamed.

The anonymous Twitter account @PartaiSocmed (whose handle translates to “The Social Media Party”), a prominent account in the trend, recently posted about Riau Province Regional Secretary SF Hariyanto. Specifically, the account posted photos of Hariyanto’s wife carrying several designer handbags, as well as from her trips to Italy, Switzerland, and more.

Unlike other targeted officials who cowered amid the public scrutiny and even lost their jobs, Hariyanto has not taken the allegations lying down. Today, he called a press conference to give his defense.

“I have cross-checked the allegations. For example, about the handbags that were said to cost hundreds of millions of rupiah. That’s not true. These are fake,” Hariyanto said, adding that he still has the store receipt for a bag that costs IDR2.5 million (US$162).

As for his wife’s international travels, Hariyanto claims that his wife and her friends pooled money for their relatively budget trips. They apparently stayed at modest apartments and took public transportation everywhere.

@PartaiSocmed isn’t buying it, though. This afternoon, they posted this tweet comparing the Gucci sneakers Hariyanto’s wife wore in a photo with a knock-off pair the official presented in the press conference.

“Maybe you were in a rush to buy ‘evidence’ for the presser?” the account wrote.

Ironically, as social media activists began exposing filthy rich officials this month, Hariyanto gave a reminder to Riau public servants not to lead hedonistic lifestyles.

More public officials livin’ large

Don’t flaunt your wealth, Indonesian minister tells public servants
The most logical course of action is often the easiest one to do. That is perhaps why, amid intense condemnation towards filthy rich public servants in the country, the government’s… Read more.
Don’t flaunt your wealth, Indonesian minister tells public servants
The most logical course of action is often the easiest one to do. That is perhaps why, amid intense condemnation towards filthy rich public servants in the country, the government’s… Read more.
Mario Dandy fallout: Tax officials disband motorcycle club amid public glare
A heinous assault carried out by the son of an Indonesian tax official has led to intense public scrutiny towards the luxurious lifestyles of other high-ranking taxmen. One notable fallout… Read more.
Mario Dandy fallout: Tax officials disband motorcycle club amid public glare
A heinous assault carried out by the son of an Indonesian tax official has led to intense public scrutiny towards the luxurious lifestyles of other high-ranking taxmen. One notable fallout… Read more.
‘Pejabat’ witch-hunt continues: Focus turns to allegedly filthy rich customs official
Indonesia’s pejabat (public officials) may want to consider battening down the hatches amid the unrelenting online witch-hunt of public servants who are allegedly living well above the means of their… Read more.
‘Pejabat’ witch-hunt continues: Focus turns to allegedly filthy rich customs official
Indonesia’s pejabat (public officials) may want to consider battening down the hatches amid the unrelenting online witch-hunt of public servants who are allegedly living well above the means of their… Read more.


Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on