PPP to support incumbent pair in 2009 presidential election

The United Development Party (PPP) will support Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla (SBY-JK) in next year's presidential election, the party' supervisory board chairman said on Wednesday.

"The SBY-JK pair is considered still eligible to lead the country for the next five years. The majority of party members support the pair," Bachtiar Chamzah told reporters.

However, the party would need to confirm its support for the pair in a national congress, said Bachtiar who is also the Social Services Minister.

"Nevertheless, the party must be realistic. We have decent, smart and good cadres (for presidential candidates), but we have to prioritize the national interest," Bachtiar said.

The SBY-JK pair has made significant developments for the country's poor -- including the free health care program, the direct assistance scheme and increased education budget -- and are expected to make more progress in the future, he said. (dre)