Akbar institute completes survey

JAKARTA: The Akbar Tandjung Institute is set to unveil the results of a survey on the upcoming local leadership elections -- its first project following its establishment early this month.

Institute chairman Akbar Tandjung told The Jakarta Post recently that the survey, which had been conducted jointly with the Polling Centre, was aimed at assessing the public's preparedness for the direct local leadership elections, produce forecasts on the likely results of the elections, and assess their likely contribution to the development of democracy in the regions.

He said the institute's first project reflected the fact that he and his fellow politicians were serious about the institute, and determined to help improve political education among members of the public and develop democracy in the country.

Akbar said that at only two weeks old the institute still had a limited number of staff, but those staff it had, including himself, made up a strong team that was capable of realizing the institute's vision and mission, and of recruiting social and political scientists, analysts and practitioners to carry out its programs. -- JP