2004-9-24
This is Steve Ember with In the News in VOA Special English.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to become the next president
of Indonesia. With most ballots counted, the former military chief
and security minister has a wide lead over President Megawati
Sukarnoputri.
Both candidates say they will not
comment on the election until final results are announced October
fifth. The new president is to be sworn-in October twentieth.
The election was Monday. The next day, a measure of leading
Indonesian stocks closed at an all-time high in reaction to the
apparent victory. Traders say the market rose in hopes of aggressive
economic measures by Mister Yudhoyono.
The Indonesian economy has suffered since the Asian financial
crisis that began in nineteen ninety-seven. Mister Yudhoyono has
said he hopes to increase foreign investment by improving legal
protections for businesses.
But he could have difficulty winning support for his programs in
parliament. Political parties allied with Mizz Megawati hold a
majority of seats.
Mister Yudhoyono would be Indonesia's fourth head of state since
nineteen ninety-eight. That was when protests forced President
Suharto to resign. A former general, he ruled the country for
thirty-two years. Under Mister Suharto, lawmakers and
representatives of the military and provinces chose the president.
The next leader will be the country's first directly elected
president.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is known to most Indonesians as S.B.Y.
He helped start the Democratic Party in two thousand-two. The former
military commander served in the governments of Abdurrahman Wahid
and President Megawati.
He was dismissed after he refused
to support emergency measures to prevent the ouster of President
Wahid. And he left the government of President Megawati in March in
another dispute.
Mister Yudhoyono campaigned as a new independent voice. He said
he would provide strong but fair leadership for the more than two
hundred million people in Indonesia. He also said he would improve
the economy, create more jobs and put an end to separatist and
ethnic violence.
He also promised strong action against terrorism. This has helped
make him popular with many Western governments.
Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population. There have
been three major attacks there in the past two years. The most
recent was the bombing this month near the Australian embassy in
Jakarta. Nine people were killed.
The attacks have been linked to Jemaah Islamiyah, a group tied to
al-Qaida. Some of the top suspects remain free.
In a speech to parliament Thursday, President Megawati apologized
for her government's record in fighting terrorism. She said
international cooperation is needed to do the job effectively.
In the News, in VOA Special English, was written by Cynthia Kirk.
This is Steve Ember.