SBY v’s Megawati?

By Barrie | September 20th, 2007 | No Comments

The next two years will be crunch time for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his predecessor Megawati Soekarnoputri as they each work toward convincing Indonesia they can make much-needed changes to the republic.

Executive director of the Indo Barometer survey institute, Muhammad Qodari, said Yudhoyono would need to improve his government’s performance in the economic field and to improve social welfare.

“Yudhoyono has to be able to improve the people’s purchasing power, create more job opportunities and control the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities in the next two years,” Muhammad said.

“Otherwise his popularity may continue to strike down.

“Many of his supporters in the 2004 presidential election may switch allegiance to alternative figures, like Megawati,” he said.

A survey conducted by Indo Barometer in May 2007 revealed in a presidential election contended by 10 candidates that Megawati came up with 22.6 percent of support, after Yudhoyono who won 35.3 percent.

The election included former chief security minister Wiranto, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, outgoing Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso and media baron Surya Paloh.

The survey also showed if Yudhoyono and Megawati compete in a head-to-head presidential race as per 2004, Yudhoyono will win 49.8 percent of the votes and Megawati 29.4 percent, with the rest undecided.

Muhammad said Megawati would have a tough task to defeat Yudhoyono if over the next two years his government was able to make significant economic changes.

“But Megawati’s early nomination, her party’s solidity and her increasing popularity are (initial steps) to win the public’s sympathy for her in the next two years,” he said.

Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) election winning team, Tjahjo Kumolo, said his party would sell not only the charismatic PDI-P chairwoman Megawati, but her concrete programs to build the nation and improve social welfare.

“Our party will work harder to optimize our performance in the next legislative election,” Tjahjo said.

“We’ll work hard to strengthen its political machines at the grassroots level and to convince the people of our strong commitment to repair the deteriorating political and economic condition and improve their economic livelihood,” he said.

Deputy chairman of Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party (PD) Achmad Mubarok said his party had no intention to immediately announce its presidential candidate.

He said the party and the government were still focusing on addressing the nation’s numerous problems.

“PD will likely announce its presidential candidate by the end of 2008 and we will renominate Yudhoyono for the second period,” he said.

Ridwan Max Sijabat