Susilo to sue 'noted figure' over SMS lies

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The campaign strategists for presidential frontrunner Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his running mate Jusuf Kalla plan to sue a "noted figure in South Kalimantan province", who they allege is responsible for the smear campaign against Susilo.

Syamsul Makmur, the chairman of the campaign team here, said on Thursday that the smear campaign was unfair and it had the potential to take away many votes from the Susilo-Kalla pair. Susilo has been the target of baseless smear campaigns mostly via leaflets and short massaging service (sms), which make claims that he is either anti-Christian, anti-Muslim or anti-Chinese.

If Syamsul goes through with the lawsuit, it will be the first case of its kind reported to the police nationwide in the presidential election campaign. Syamsul refused to disclose the identity of the accused. -- Antara