Susilo Leads the Pack, Islamic Parties Big Losers
Jakarta (AsiaNews) Partial results indicate that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is leading in Indonesia's first direct presidential elections held on July 5. The results confirm surveys which had placed SBY in the lead followed by outgoing President Megawati Sukarnoputri and retired General Wiranto. They also brought some surprises; among them: the defeat of Islamic parties at both national and local levels.
The latest partial results released by the General Elections Commission (KPU), based on ballots already counted, were published by the Jakarta Post. They show that SBY was in the lead with 33.56% of the vote; Megawati was trailing with 26.67%; Wiranto following with 22.43%. At the bottom, the candidates for the two Islamic parties: Amien Rais with 14.05% and Hamzah Haz with 3.29%.
Surveys had already predicted a possible SBY victory, but the more significant result was the drop in local support for Islamic parties.
SBY is leading in East Java getting twice as many votes as Salahuddin Wahid and Hasyim Muzadi, the two Islamic leaders running for the vice-presidency on the Wiranto and Megawati tickets respectively. East Java Province is known as the stronghold of the country's largest Muslim organization: Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). Both Hamzah and Wahid are leading figures in the NU. But if the trend continues, Wahid's defeat in Java will be overwhelming. Even in his birthplace of Jombang, he is losing. SBY is expected to take Jakarta (West Java).
Moderate candidate Amien Rais is winning in Aceh (North Sumatra), a province where Sharia law is enforced, thus beating Hamzah Haz, the candidate running under the banner of the more radical Muslim-based Union Development Party (PPP).
Unlike previous elections, this one went very smoothly without any episodes of violence or protests reported. (MH)
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