New survey rates SBY's popularity as high
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
In spite of mounting criticism of his administration following the fuel price increases, the latest survey shows that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's popularity remains high, with over half of the population deeming that he is doing a good job.
However, they are unhappy with the government's economic performance.
Released by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) here on Thursday, the poll, conducted in mid-December, put Susilo's job approval rating at 56 percent, a decline from 63 percent in an LSI survey issued in September.
The President won respect across the country for his integrity, as well as performance in the areas of legal, security and social welfare ever since he took office 15 months ago.
The areas that people feel have room for improvement are medical services, crime and gambling elimination, corruption eradication, education and women's empowerment.
The majority of 1,100 respondents, however, are dissatisfied with the current government's economic performance, with 53.4 percent of them feeling that this year's economic condition was worse than in 2004.
The sentiment was mainly due to the steep fuel price increases, which averaged 126 percent.
The respondents said the fuel price hikes made it tougher for them to buy kerosene (90 percent), cooking gas (61 percent), gasoline (89 percent) and diesel fuel (73 percent).
The affordability of staple food has also declined, as well as people's financial ability to cover medical costs and school tuition.
For the year ahead, only 40.2 percent of the respondents think things will improve economically.
The toughest challenges for the Susilo administration this year were creating jobs, reducing poverty, maintaining stable prices, stabilizing the rupiah and spurring economic growth.
With regards to the recent Cabinet reshuffle, 41 percent of the respondents believe it will improve the performance of Susilo's administration, particularly his economics team.
Responding to Susilo's relatively stable popularity, presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said that 56 percent was "not too bad" for a democracy.