People told to honor election result<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri called on the people on Sunday
\nto accept the winner of the presidential election.<\/p>\n
\"Whoever wins will become the legitimate leader and we have to
\naccept and support him or her wholeheartedly,\" Megawati said in a
\ntelevised speech on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The five candidates are Wiranto, Megawati Soekarnoputri, Amien
\nRais, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Hamzah Haz. The former
\nsecurity minister Susilo has topped all the credible election
\nsurveys.<\/p>\n
During the taping of the speech at the State Palace on Sunday,
\nMegawati, a daughter of founding president Sukarno, broke into
\ntears when she appealed to the people to maintain national unity
\neven if their candidates did not get elected.<\/p>\n
\"Which ever party we belong to ... or background, race or
\nreligion, and whomever we elect, we must maintain our national
\nunity,\" Megawati said.<\/p>\n
Some candidates have appealed for support by focusing on
\ntraditional similarities and differences, including ethnic and
\nreligious groupings, which has raised fears that the elections
\nwould heighten racial and religious division in the country.<\/p>\n
Megawati emphasized the importance for all the candidates to
\nstay committed to sincerely accepting the results of the
\nelection.<\/p>\n
Over 150 million people are registered to vote on Monday
\n(today).<\/p>\n
Some analysts have stated that it would be difficult for
\nMegawati to get elected as she faces tough competition from her
\nformer security minister Susilo and his running mate Jusuf Kalla,
\nwho continues to be the odds on favorite by a very wide margin,
\naccording to the opinion polls.<\/p>\n
The President also reminded people that the world was watching
\nIndonesia and expected a peaceful election.<\/p>\n
\"If we can vote peacefully, it is possible that our success
\nwould serve as a role model for many countries around the globe,\"
\nshe added.<\/p>\n
She also reminded the people to use their conscience in
\nelecting the president.<\/p>\n
\"You will elect the leaders who will make the decisions to
\ndetermine the course of the country ... someone who will decide
\nthe people's fate for the next five years,\" Megawati said.<\/p>\n
During the taping of the speech, Megawati used several takes
\nto get the sentence about accepting the winner just right.<\/p>\n
An official at the State Palace explained that she said \"cut\"
\naround five times before she could finally continue with the
\nnine-page speech.<\/p>\n
The President also had to wipe her eyes and nose before
\ncontinuing with the taping.<\/p>\n
Presidential Secretary Kemal Munawar, however, said that
\nMegawati was not crying. Kemal said Megawati had been suffering
\nfrom a cold recently.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/people-told-to-honor-election-result-1447893297",
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