FEATURE: A second term for SBY

Indonesia has been a democracy for just on a decade, and if proof were needed that the experiment has been a success the events of this year's election are more than sufficient evidence.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono became the first president of the democratic era to win a second term, with the so-called 'quick count' of votes showing the president winning the support of more than 60 per cent of the electorate, more than enough to avoid a run-off poll.

The win was secured on the back of a strong economy and popular policies aimed at the poor.

But now the challenge is to make good on the promises the president made to voters not just at this election, but 5 years ago when he first won office.

Gavin Fang

Last Updated: Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:18:00 +1000

Indonesian voters were out in force to decide on the next president. The country might have a short democratic history but its people have embraced the responsibility and privilege of having a say in choosing their leaders.

And just like 5 years ago the man most wanted in the top job was President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"He is a straight forward person," one voter said. "As Indonesians we feel that his leadership is better compared to the past and we hope he will continue to lead."

Another voter described him as authoritative.

"The aspirations of the Indonesian people is his number one priority," she said. "During his government everything is stable."

Voters in the country's western provinces were still casting their ballots when the first results of the election started to come in. And it wasn't long before Indonesia's television networks were predicting a resounding victory for the President. By days end the 'quick count' sample of votes had him with 60 per cent.

Rivals Megawati Sukarnoputri and Jusuf Kalla were hardly in the contest - all but 3 of Indonesia's 33 provinces had gone to the President. And within hours of the polls closing he addressed the nation with a message that he was getting straight back to work.

"I call on everyone to maintain the culture of respect for each other, win or loose," he said.

"The important thing is for a better future for all of us over the next 5 years and to reach that we've got to work hard, hand in hand together."

Campaign struggles

For the president's rivals the massive election defeat was a bitter pill, and it's probably the last time Megawati or Jusuf Kalla will contest the presidency. But Megawati's running mate Prabowo Subianto might have another shot in five years and on election night he was still wanting to wait for the final results before conceding defeat.

"The current attempt to create perception that one candidate has practically won the election is completely wrong and we appeal to all sides to refrain from making such claims," he said.

Over the course of the election campaign Megawati and Jusuf Kalla were never really able to shift voters away from the president. There was never a big scandal or a key policy stumble.

Analysts say there was only one candidate that had the star power to hold the attention of the country's 176 million voters. Megawati and Jusuf Kalla always seemed bit players in the president's performance. But this election victory was built long before the campaign got underway.

Polls suggest that months ago, around 80 per cent of Indonesian voters had already decided who they'd support. Most chose President Yudhoyono and one of the major reasons for that was the government's popular program of direct cash handouts to the poor and subsidies for education and health. Those programs were put in place last year when fuel and food prices soared and the president's approval dropped.

Burhanuddin Muhtadi from Lembaga Survey Institute says it was a shrewd political move that turned the president's fortunes around.

"SBY is a political animal, and SBY launched unpopular economic policies in the beginning of his government...but in time of election he launched lots of popular economic policies to increase the popularity among Indonesian people," he said.

Promises made

With the palace secured for another term the challenge now is to fulfil the policy promises not just from this election but from five years ago. Indonesia's problems remain remarkably similar to when SBY first took office.

Developing the economy so that more Indonesians share in the country' economic growth is at the top of that list. To do that economists say the president must improve the country's electricity, road and port infrastructure. Labor market reforms, the legal framework for doing business, customs regulations and taxation all need to be addressed.

Anies Baswedan from Paramadina University says there also remains the ongoing issue of corruption.

"I think there are a few major reforms that would be very difficult to do for anyone on its first term, because it will be seen as providing foundations for a re-election," he said.

"Now it's on a second term, so reforming the bureaucracy, for instance, that hasn't been done, now he has the legitimacy and ability to say this is not for me - because this is my last term I am over - but this is for the country."

The president will also find getting support from parliament much easier this time around. His party's success in parliamentary polls in April saw it move from a minor player, to the biggest group. And analysts say the results of this election will give the President the confidence to throw off his reputation for being cautious and indecisive.

"The fact that he has been reelected is an approval that he has been doing good the past five years and the sense is that complete the job with continuity, that's sort of the theme and that would differentiate with last time," said Anies Baswedan.

More than 70 million voters backed the president in the election. With that kind of support, what democratically elected leader wouldn't feel emboldened?