Rival flags fly in support at Amien-Siswono rally

Rival flags fly in support at Amien-Siswono rally

Bambang Nurbianto and A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Presidential candidate Amien Rais and his running mate not only
managed to attract a huge crowd during their outdoor rally here
on Saturday, but perhaps garnered support from constituents of
their contenders.

Flags and other symbols of Islamic-based United Development
Party (PPP), Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Crescent Star
Party (PBB) were visible at the main stadium of the Bung Karno
Sports Center during the rally, alongside flags belonging to the
National Mandate Party (PAN) which Amien chairs and new parties
that officially endorsed the Amien-Siswono ticket.

PPP has nominated its leader Hamzah Haz as presidential
candidate; PBB has announced its support for Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla who run under the Democratic Party;
while PKS has not disclosed its preferred candidate.

Speaking before around 50,000 people, the largest crowd so far
at a single outdoor rally, Amien hailed the support from the
various groups.

"God's willing, we will not betray this mandate," he said,
vowing to maintain unity in diversity.

Other speakers at the rally included Sukmawati Soekarnoputri
of the Marhaenism Indonesian National Party, Muchtar Pakpahan of
Social Democratic Labor Party, Eros Djarot of the Freedom Bull
National Party, Zainuddin MZ of the Reform Star Party and
Buddhist monk Guna Badra Stavira.

In Surabaya, presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
held talks with a number of local figures, including the boss of
home appliance giant Maspion Group, Alim Markus, and former East
Java governor Muhammad Noer prior to an outdoor rally at the
November 10 stadium.

During the rally, Susilo told his supporters to maintain
friendship with supporters of other candidates to ensure the
election proceeds peacefully.

"Indonesia must be more secure, peaceful and united in the
future," he said before the crowd. He also reminded his
supporters not to coerce people to vote for him.

Meanwhile, President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her husband
Taufik Kiemas visited the South Sumatra capital of Palembang to
inaugurate a Rp 104 billion (US$11.34 million) construction
project, the main stadium of the Sriwijaya Sports Complex.

The 52,000 square meter stadium can accommodate some 40,000
people. The construction of the sports complex cost Rp 400
billion, and is expected to be completed before the city hosts
the 16th National Games from Sept. 2 to Sept. 16.

Megawati, who is contesting the election, did not campaign on
Saturday. But during the campaign period, she frequently visited
the regions to inaugurate various projects.

In Medan, North Sumatra, Hamzah Haz' running mate Agum Gumelar
joined hundreds of (becak) (three-wheeled pedicab) drivers in
visiting a traditional market in the city. He took a becak to
reach the market from his hotel.

At the market, where most of the traders sell fruit, Agum
spoke to a number of vendors.

In Manado, North Sulawesi, Golkar Party presidential candidate
Wiranto criticized his political opponents for continuously
linking him to the New Order regime.

"I know I come from the flawed generation but I want to build
a new generation through a healthier, fairer and more qualified
national leadership," the former military chief said.