Susilo ups his public appearances
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
As the presidential runoff draws closer, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is increasing his public appearances in a bid to shore up his popularity ahead of voting day.
Susilo, who will face incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri in the Sept. 20 election, joined Green Garden residents, who are mostly Chinese Indonesians, in a fun walk around the housing complex in Kedoya, West Jakarta.
Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, known for his consistent fight for the rights of minority groups, also attended the event.
Gus Dur, a chief patron of the National Awakening Party (PKB), refused to say if he had given his political support to Susilo.
"We are not going to talk about coalitions this morning as I am just following what Gus Dur (has advised me) ... that I should put national unity ahead of difference," Susilo said after addressing hundreds of people from a poduim.
Susilo has repeatedly said coalitions among political elites are not a priority in a direct presidential system.
Later in the day, Susilo flew to Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara to meet hundreds of Muslim students of the Nahdlatul Waton Islamic boarding school. His running mate, vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla, met with hundreds of members of the Nusantara Communication Forum in Jakarta.
Sunday's public appearance came after Susilo made an impromptu visit last week to villagers living without electricity in Cikeas Udik, Bogor, about five kilometers from his private mansion.
During the meeting, Susilo asked the people, who he called "the poorest of the poor" about what they wanted from the next president. Solving the nation's unemployment was top of the list.
During Independence Day celebrations on Aug. 17, Susilo, who was not invited to the official ceremony, held a separate flag- raising ceremony near his residence and celebrated the event with hundreds of people from his surrounding area.
Susilo, on Monday (today), is scheduled to meet Ismail Hasan Metareum, a former chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), at Ismail's residence in West Jakarta.
To avoid possible clashes among supporters of the two candidates, the General Elections Commission (KPU) has decided to stick to the three-day campaigning period as stipulated in presidential election law.
During the campaign period, which will run from Sept. 14 to 16, the candidates are required by the KPU to "better explain their manifestos."
Supporters will also be allowed to erect banners, posters and other campaign paraphernalia in public places.
Megawati, whose popularity has lagged behind Susilo in opinion polls, received a political boost over the weekend when she was endorsed by two large parties, House of Representatives heavyweight the Golkar Party and the Muslim-based PPP -- plus a minor party, the Christian-oriented Prosperous Peace Party (PDS).