Susilo ups his public appearances

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).