Candidates to spend billions in election<\/p>\n
Slamet Susanto and M. Taufiqurrahman, Yogyakarta\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Presidential candidates are set to spend billions of rupiah in
\nthe one-month campaign period slated to begin on June 1, seeking
\nfinancing from supporters and the business community, with some
\nwilling to empty their own pockets.<\/p>\n
Running mates Amien Rais and Siswono Yudhohusodo of the
\nNational Mandate Party (PAN) have estimated that they need some
\nRp 160 billion (US$17.7 million) to fund the campaign.<\/p>\n
Siswono said on Thursday that almost 30 percent of the fund
\nwould be from his own pocket and the rest would come from
\nsupporters through the party's bank account.<\/p>\n
"If necessary I can give more for the campaign, but the rest
\nwill be from supporters who can contribute through a bank
\naccount," said Siswono, who is known as a successful developer.<\/p>\n
Candidates from the Democratic Party, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
\nand Jusuf Kalla have opted to seek support from the business
\ncommunity to raise the needed Rp 100 billion in campaign funds.<\/p>\n
Kalla cited a recent fund-raising in Bali where 700
\nbusinessmen donated Rp 100,000 each.<\/p>\n
"I am also a businessman, so some of my friends will help me,"
\nKalla said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
The Democratic Party's Rp 100 billion paled significantly in
\ncomparison to the United Development Party (PPP)'s whopping Rp
\n500 billion campaign fund. The amount was revealed by party'
\ncandidates Vice President Hamzah Haz and Minister of
\nCommunication Agum Gumelar.<\/p>\n
The party's team manager Endin J. Soefihara, however, failed
\nto mention the source of the funding, saying only that it would
\ncome from PPP supporters.<\/p>\n
"We will maximize all potential sources in our party to
\nfinance the campaign," Endin said after party's meeting at
\nHamzah's official residence.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Golkar
\nParty have yet to announce the amount of their campaign fund.<\/p>\n
PDI-P's Megawati Soekarnoputri and Hasyim Muzadi's campaign
\nteam refused to mention the amount of their campaign fund, saying
\nthey would announce it later.<\/p>\n
In a recent fund-raising event Wiranto managed to collect some
\nRp 4 billion.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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