Candidates stay true to what they do best, making promises
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
As the second week of the presidential campaign began, candidates on Monday traveled across the country to meet with supporters and prospective voters, pledging to bring about improvement.
In the West Java town of Kuningan, Agum Gumelar, the running mate of presidential candidate Hamzah Haz of the United Development Party (PPP), vowed to step up efforts to uproot terrorists from the country.
Agum also said he would be tough on secessionist movements, which he said threatened the integrity of the country.
"Separatist movements have to be crushed as they are not only enemies of the Indonesian Military and police, but also the country's citizens," he said.
In Malang, East Java, presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the upstart Democratic Party told dozens of elementary school teachers that he would fight to improve their lot.
"I will give you a written answer in the next two weeks to show you that I love education and want to improve it," he said.
In Jeneponto, South Sulawesi, Susilo's running mate Jusuf Kalla paid a visit to hundreds of inmates at a local correctional center.
In the course of 15 minutes, 56 inmates made up their minds and decided that they would vote for Susilo in the July 5 presidential election.
In Padang, West Sumatra, Hasyim Muzadi, the running mate of incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri, told supporters the fight against corruption would be a long and winding road.
"Experience from East Asian countries such as China has taught us that it takes between 10 and 15 years to stamp out corruption," he said.
Hasyim said that efforts by Megawati's administration to eradicate corruption had won the support of leaders who shared a similar commitment.
Earlier in the day, Megawati blasted candidates who have vowed to bring about a speedy recovery for the nation's economy.
"It does not make any sense that poverty and unemployment can be resolved in the blink of an eye," she was quoted as saying by Detik.com news portal.
In his speech, Hasyim blamed the leaders of former regimes for the corruption that plagues the country.
On the issue of the press, Hasyim said he was fully committed to the burgeoning press freedom.
"I fully support Tempo magazine in its legal battle against businessman Tomy Winata," he said in reference to the ongoing libel battle between the magazine and Tomy.
However, Hasyim said freedom of the press should not take precedence over national interests. "Press freedom must not have an adverse impact on the country's interests, rather it should promote these interests."
In Manado, North Sulawesi, Siswono Yudohusodo, the running mate of Amien Rais of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said the country had to develop its maritime industries if it hoped to prosper.
Siswono, who is also the head of the Indonesian Farmers Community Association, said that both he and Amien were committed to relinquishing their current posts should they be elected president and vice president. Amien is currently the speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly.