People told to honor election result

People told to honor election result

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri called on the people on Sunday
to accept the winner of the presidential election.

"Whoever wins will become the legitimate leader and we have to
accept and support him or her wholeheartedly," Megawati said in a
televised speech on Sunday.

The five candidates are Wiranto, Megawati Soekarnoputri, Amien
Rais, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Hamzah Haz. The former
security minister Susilo has topped all the credible election
surveys.

During the taping of the speech at the State Palace on Sunday,
Megawati, a daughter of founding president Sukarno, broke into
tears when she appealed to the people to maintain national unity
even if their candidates did not get elected.

"Which ever party we belong to ... or background, race or
religion, and whomever we elect, we must maintain our national
unity," Megawati said.

Some candidates have appealed for support by focusing on
traditional similarities and differences, including ethnic and
religious groupings, which has raised fears that the elections
would heighten racial and religious division in the country.

Megawati emphasized the importance for all the candidates to
stay committed to sincerely accepting the results of the
election.

Over 150 million people are registered to vote on Monday
(today).

Some analysts have stated that it would be difficult for
Megawati to get elected as she faces tough competition from her
former security minister Susilo and his running mate Jusuf Kalla,
who continues to be the odds on favorite by a very wide margin,
according to the opinion polls.

The President also reminded people that the world was watching
Indonesia and expected a peaceful election.

"If we can vote peacefully, it is possible that our success
would serve as a role model for many countries around the globe,"
she added.

She also reminded the people to use their conscience in
electing the president.

"You will elect the leaders who will make the decisions to
determine the course of the country ... someone who will decide
the people's fate for the next five years," Megawati said.

During the taping of the speech, Megawati used several takes
to get the sentence about accepting the winner just right.

An official at the State Palace explained that she said "cut"
around five times before she could finally continue with the
nine-page speech.

The President also had to wipe her eyes and nose before
continuing with the taping.

Presidential Secretary Kemal Munawar, however, said that
Megawati was not crying. Kemal said Megawati had been suffering
from a cold recently.