Rival flags fly in support at Amien-Siswono rally<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto and A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Presidential candidate Amien Rais and his running mate not only
\nmanaged to attract a huge crowd during their outdoor rally here
\non Saturday, but perhaps garnered support from constituents of
\ntheir contenders.<\/p>\n
Flags and other symbols of Islamic-based United Development
\nParty (PPP), Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Crescent Star
\nParty (PBB) were visible at the main stadium of the Bung Karno
\nSports Center during the rally, alongside flags belonging to the
\nNational Mandate Party (PAN) which Amien chairs and new parties
\nthat officially endorsed the Amien-Siswono ticket.<\/p>\n
PPP has nominated its leader Hamzah Haz as presidential
\ncandidate; PBB has announced its support for Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla who run under the Democratic Party;
\nwhile PKS has not disclosed its preferred candidate.<\/p>\n
Speaking before around 50,000 people, the largest crowd so far
\nat a single outdoor rally, Amien hailed the support from the
\nvarious groups.<\/p>\n
\"God's willing, we will not betray this mandate,\" he said,
\nvowing to maintain unity in diversity.<\/p>\n
Other speakers at the rally included Sukmawati Soekarnoputri
\nof the Marhaenism Indonesian National Party, Muchtar Pakpahan of
\nSocial Democratic Labor Party, Eros Djarot of the Freedom Bull
\nNational Party, Zainuddin MZ of the Reform Star Party and
\nBuddhist monk Guna Badra Stavira.<\/p>\n
In Surabaya, presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
\nheld talks with a number of local figures, including the boss of
\nhome appliance giant Maspion Group, Alim Markus, and former East
\nJava governor Muhammad Noer prior to an outdoor rally at the
\nNovember 10 stadium.<\/p>\n
During the rally, Susilo told his supporters to maintain
\nfriendship with supporters of other candidates to ensure the
\nelection proceeds peacefully.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia must be more secure, peaceful and united in the
\nfuture,\" he said before the crowd. He also reminded his
\nsupporters not to coerce people to vote for him.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her husband
\nTaufik Kiemas visited the South Sumatra capital of Palembang to
\ninaugurate a Rp 104 billion (US$11.34 million) construction
\nproject, the main stadium of the Sriwijaya Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
The 52,000 square meter stadium can accommodate some 40,000
\npeople. The construction of the sports complex cost Rp 400
\nbillion, and is expected to be completed before the city hosts
\nthe 16th National Games from Sept. 2 to Sept. 16.<\/p>\n
Megawati, who is contesting the election, did not campaign on
\nSaturday. But during the campaign period, she frequently visited
\nthe regions to inaugurate various projects.<\/p>\n
In Medan, North Sumatra, Hamzah Haz' running mate Agum Gumelar
\njoined hundreds of (becak) (three-wheeled pedicab) drivers in
\nvisiting a traditional market in the city. He took a becak to
\nreach the market from his hotel.<\/p>\n
At the market, where most of the traders sell fruit, Agum
\nspoke to a number of vendors.<\/p>\n
In Manado, North Sulawesi, Golkar Party presidential candidate
\nWiranto criticized his political opponents for continuously
\nlinking him to the New Order regime.<\/p>\n
\"I know I come from the flawed generation but I want to build
\na new generation through a healthier, fairer and more qualified
\nnational leadership,\" the former military chief said.<\/p>",
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