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JAKARTA — Some 170 million voters in Indonesian, the world's most populous Muslim nation, are eligible to vote on Wednesday, July 8, to elect a new president, the second direct presidential poll since the fall of the Suharto dictatorship in 1998.
An early exit poll showed incumbent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, 59, far ahead of his rivals and widely expected to win re-election.
The ex-general and leader of the Democratic Party is challenged by incumbent Vice-President Jusuf Kalla and former president Megawati Sukarnoputri.
IslamOnline.net interviewed several voters about their choices for the next president and hopes for the future.
Nurfitri Barlian, 36
Housewife
No substitute for stability an
d security. Those are the basic needs for citizens. With the security and stability then investment will come easily which is leading to the people happiness.
I believe president SBY can do it.
He has proven it. During his administration over the past five years, politic and security were relatively calm.
I think Indonesia’s future is depending on how strong the leader is.
Indonesia is a big country with thousands scattered-islands and hundreds ethnicities and languages as well as religions. So, we need a strong leader to rule such complicated nation.
You can imagine if such big country is ruled by a weak leader.
Eman Riyadi, 18
Student
This is the first time for me to vote a president. I have just been eligible to vote so I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
I need something new, so I voted for JK (Jusuf Kalla) for president.
I liked his advertisements on TV. His advertising campaigns were cozy. I loved it. His style is accommodating younger generations like me.
I hope he will bring a change for our country.
Atin Rohyatin, 29
Freelance insurance agent
I voted for Megawati because she and her running mate Prabowo Subianto are brave to make a political contract with the people.
One of the contract’s points is stating that the pair will abolish the outsourcing system for workers. Megawti and Prabowo are very concerned about the manpower system in Indonesia.
Besides, they have a concept of economy that protects the majority of citizens. Million of Indonesians are jobless.
I hope the pair will be able to make innovations in our manpower system, especially Prabowo. He is a visionary leader. He is very strong and confident in addressing his vision.
Edi Priyatnya, 35
Fried rice seller
I am taking part in the presidential election because it’s my obligation as a citizen to choose our leader.
I decided to vote for the incumbent president SBY because of his achievements in eradicating corruption and stabilizing the country.
I don’t really believe that other candidates can deliver their programs due to their lack of experience.
If SBY is re-elected, I hope, he can continue his program to make people prosperous.
Siti Rohani, 65
Housewife
I can only pray for Allah SWT for the sake of the nation and Indonesian people.
I don’t really care who will be the president.
For me if he or she can make people happy then I will be also happy.
I want the country safe, not like ten year ago when so many innocent people died, and the situation was unstable.
We are already tired.
Katmi Wahyudi, 26
House servant
I chose SBY because he was born in the same village as mine in Pacitan, East Java.
I like him because his is handsome and polite. He is also charismatic and honest. I hope he would be re-elected in this election.
As an illiterate person, I need favorable situations so that I can make money to support my kid in my village. I work in Jakarta to keep my daughter studying in primary school.
I committed to participate in the election.
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