Most presidential candidates watch Euro 2004 finale
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Almost all of the candidates kept themselves busy on Sunday, a day before over 130 million voters are expected to cast their votes in the country's first presidential election.
And to relax before the big day after a hectic month of campaigning, most of them went to watch the televised Euro 2004 soccer finals in public places.
Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is seeking a full five-year mandate, began her day with the taping of a speech to welcome the presidential election.
Soon after the recording, Megawati left for Tegal, Central Java to inaugurate a port and meet local fishermen. However, she disappointed thousands of residents of nearby town Purwokerto as she failed to land due to heavy rain.
She tried to appease the residents, who had been waiting for hours, by talking to them through Regent Aris Setiono's cellular phone which was connected to a loud speaker.
"I am sorry for not meeting you directly. Next time, I'll try to visit Banyumas," said Megawati, referring to one of her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's strongholds in Central Java.
She is slated to cast her vote on Monday at the Kebagusan polling station, with husband Taufik Kiemas and three children.
Her running mate, Hasyim Muzadi, spent the day in his hometown in Malang, East Java. He returned to Jakarta Sunday evening as he was expected to cast his vote at a polling station near the Nahdlatul Ulama headquarters in Central Jakarta.
Amien Rais also had a busy day. He went to Metro TV station for a talk show around noon and his running mate Siswono Yudohusodo held a press conference at his house in South Jakarta later in the day.
In the afternoon, he spent an hour talking to former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, who is here with the Carter Center to observe the election, at a hotel in Central Jakarta.
He later hosted a prayer in his house before heading for nearby Trans TV station to watch a live concert of popular singer Iwan Fals.
Campaign manager Bambang Sudibyo said Amien would end the day by watching the Euro Cup finals at a cafe in Kemang, South Jakarta. He is expected to cast his vote in his hometown Yogyakarta.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited his mother in his hometown of Pacitan, East Java. He and running mate Jusuf Kalla then went to Metro TV for a talk show.
In the afternoon, he met with Carter and made plans to watch the Euro Cup finals in a hotel in North Jakarta, according to one of his spokespeople Robik Mukav.
Kalla, who relaxed with a game of golf in Bogor in the morning, also held a prayer in his house in Kebayoran Baru area.
Wiranto stayed home in Bambu Apus, East Jakarta on Sunday before attending a talk show at Metro TV with running mate Salahuddin Wahid. He also met with Carter for about an hour on Sunday afternoon.
He also planned to join the crowd at a cafe in South Jakarta to watch the final match of the Euro 2004.
On Monday, Wiranto is scheduled to cast his vote at a polling station near his home in Bambu Apus.
Unlike other candidates, Hamzah Haz spent a quiet day at his private house in Tegalan, Central Jakarta.
"He is resting, maybe a little tired because of the long campaign period," one of his aides told The Jakarta Post.