Jakarta. Indonesia’s wealthiest minister, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, has dismissed viral social media claims that she bathes with bottled water during field visits, calling the story misleading and false.

The rumor began with an Instagram post by @makassar.info, citing an alleged unnamed ministry employee. Public scrutiny of government officials’ and lawmakers’ lavish lifestyles has intensified since last August, when protests over parliamentary perks escalated into riots.

Special Staff to the Minister, Apni Jaya Putra, strongly dismissed the story as false. “Who said that? The source is anonymous. It comes from unclear social media posts. The information is completely untrue,” Apni said on Tuesday.

He said such rumors can mislead public opinion. “When gossip spreads into disinformation or hoaxes, it’s dangerous,” he added. Apni said that during field visits, Widiyanti usually stays in hotels or homestays with proper water facilities. “There’s no scenario where she uses bottled water to bathe. That’s 100 percent a hoax.”

The minister’s fashion choices have also drawn attention. Photos of her in luxurious attire circulated online, but Apni explained that these were from her pre-ministerial career in the fashion industry. Since taking office, she predominantly wears traditional Indonesian textiles, promoting culture alongside tourism.

Other claims, such as excessive demands for ceremonial welcomes during official visits, were also refuted. “In fact, she prefers minimal arrangements and often leaves without ceremonies to avoid burdening local authorities,” Apni said.

Despite frequent controversies, the ministry maintains that Widiyanti remains focused on tourism targets: increasing visitor numbers, boosting foreign exchange earnings, developing destinations, creating jobs, and supporting SMEs. Apni stressed the importance of separating online rumors from actual achievements.

“If we stay silent, the public might assume it’s true. But schedules, accommodation, and facilities are all verifiable,” he said.

Widiyanti, born in Singapore on Dec. 8, 1970, is the daughter of conglomerate Wiwoho Basuki Tjokronegoro, founder of Teladan Resources. She studied Business Administration at Pepperdine University in the US, where she met her husband, Wishnu Wardhana, a successful entrepreneur and founder of PT Indika Energy Tbk. Before joining President Prabowo Subianto’s cabinet in October 2024, she built a career in the fashion industry.

Her reported net worth of over Rp 5.4 trillion ($327 million) placed her among Indonesia’s wealthiest officials. Nevertheless, the ministry says her focus remains on delivering tangible results for national tourism.

“Let’s focus on tourism development; that is the minister’s real work,” Apni concluded.

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