Susilo like a new, cute girl at school

Tiarma Siboro and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is now like a pretty young girl courted by young and even old men. As his Democratic Party is showing a clear sign that it has become an alternative for voters who are fed up with the performance of the more established parties, the retired general is now being approached by many parties.

In addition, more people from the business community are busy recalling how close they were to Susilo years before.

Even Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) -- at least for the moment -- has shown its enthusiasm for the former coordinating minister for political and security affairs.

These days, Susilo is busy receiving people at his home in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java. The general, whose father-in-law was the legendary Lt. Gen. Sarwo Edhi Wibowo, displayed a cautious attitude when receiving those politicians.

"I have met with several party leaders recently," said Susilo at a press conference at his home.

Susilo said that he had met former President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, chairman of the Crescent Star Party Yusril Ihza Mahendra and leader of the country's largest Muslim organization, Nadhlatul Ulama, Hasyim Muzadi.

Citing Susilo's lack of loyalty, Gus Dur fired him from the Cabinet shortly before his downfall in July 2001. Susilo retired from President Megawati's Cabinet shortly before the legislative election campaign started on March 11.

Several executives from the Muslim-oriented Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Golkar Party had also come to meet him, he said.

However, Susilo said that it was too early to regard the meetings as efforts to form a coalition.

"I haven't gone that far because the new political landscape will only emerge a week from now," he said.

Golkar executive Slamet Effendi Yusuf confirmed that the party had met Susilo in a bid to form a possible alliance because Susilo had a great chance of winning the presidential election.

"It was just a preliminary meeting. Golkar is still seeking other parties and leaders to form a coalition," said Slamet.

Elite figures from Golkar and PDI-P have been paving the way to forming a coalition to win the presidential election. However, Golkar seemed to shy away from the strategy after seeing that the preliminary vote tally put PDI-P beneath Golkar.

"Although it is still preliminary, we have been lobbying Susilo and the Democratic Party to join us. I think it is hard for us to join hands with the PDI-P because they will insist on remaining on top," said Golkar executive Fahmi Idris.

Megawati, who replaced Gus Dur as president in July 2001, now finds herself in trouble. Susilo could be her strongest contender in the race for the presidency.

"Anything can happen in politics," commented an executive of Gus Dur's National Awakening Party (PKB) on the current political maneuvering.