SBY-JK duo still likely winners: Survey

The Jakarta Post,  7 February 2009

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, pictured speaking during Chinese New Year festivities last week, called for a moratorium on the creation of new regional administration units on Friday. (Photo: Widodo S. Jusuf, Antara)

JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla still have a strong chance of winning a second five-year term in the upcoming presidential election, a survey revealed Thursday. 

The survey was conducted by the University of Indonesia's Center for Strategic Development Studies (Puskaptis) and involved almost 2,200 respondents from across the country. 

"Nearly 45 percent of respondents opted for SBY and Kalla to lead the country in 2009 once again," Puskaptis executive director Husein Yazin told a press conference. 

"Only 10 percent voted against them," he said. 

Around 20 percent called on Yudhoyono to find a new running mate while less than 1 percent expressed a desire to have Kalla in the presidency position. Political observer Alfan Alfian said the partnership of SBY and Kalla symbolized the unity of military and civilian figures in Indonesia's political system. 

"Many people still believe good leadership in Indonesia can only come from a strong military or civilian figure," he said. - Antara

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