Your comments on the victory of Democrat Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States, defeating Republican John McCain in the recent election.

Congratulations on his becoming president of the United States. His mixed-race families, his childhood exposure to plurality and the hard life of people in Jakarta, combined with his intelligence and compassionate feelings toward common people will make him a great president who respects differences, cares for the needy and loves peace.

When he has accomplished all of this, which I believe he can, it will be a victory for me and the world.

ALESSANDRA TRIA

Surabaya

Obama's victory teaches the world not to be blind to the variety in it. It makes me believe in hope when people put us down. Obama is a teacher who can teach us how to live in this hard world.

MONICA

Jakarta

Well I'm happy that finally there's an Afro-American president in a country which claims itself "the champion of democracy". Obama's leadership is expected to bring about positive change in our world.

We also hope our leaders can learn from the presidency in the United States. How the candidates attacked each other during the campaigns, but after the election results were announced, McCain stood up, congratulated and praised Obama. He admitted his defeat elegantly.

In Indonesia, we often hear of clashes between supporters of candidates in regional elections. Most of our leaders are not mature enough to congratulate their rivals. But we know that democracy is a long process.

YASMIN

Tangerang, Banten

I hope he will be a good president, who appreciates human beings and human rights; to create more peaceful word; help the American economy recover; and build its relationships with Indonesia.

LENNY AMALIA

Metro, Lampung

His victory will do nothing for the world. He has much important work to do in his own country like repairing damage caused by the economic crisis and the continuing war on terror. He will prove to White people that blacks are also very loyal to their country.

We don't expect major changes in U.S. policy under Obama.

FAISAL

Medan, North Sumatra

Obama's victory is a huge success for America because it will change the way the rest of the world perceives it. This will help jump-start the U.S. economy. Unfortunately, not much will change for the rest of the world.

NICKY

Denpasar

Congratulation to Obama and American peoples. We hope that Indonesia, which will also elect its president next year, will learn from the U.S..

DEDE LESMANA ELO

Tangerang, Banten

Both Obama and McCain are winners. Obama has been elected the first black U.S president, while McCain has accepted defeat gracefully.

RUBIYAH ASMARA SARI

Metro, Lampung

Obama must develop good relations with Muslim countries, including Indonesia.

MARTONO

Tangerang, Banten

The victory of Obama means a "change" for the world. After this, we hope we will live in a more peaceful world, far from war and financial crises.

We will see the superpower U.S. turn into a power for the whole world.

YUNA

Jakarta

This is great for U.S. president-elect Barack Obama. His vision, which is anti-war is expected to make a better world and he would call back U.S. troops abroad.

For Asia-Pacific countries, he is expected pay give more attention to their economies.

And we hope we will take the U.S. elections as an example for our own elections next year, and Indonesia and the U.S. will have better elections.

Congratulations Obama. We hope you can change the world.

YURLENI LUBIS

Bakasi, West Java

The U.S. is a superpower country. I hope Obama's presidency will have great positive impact to the world. And as a mixed race leader, he will be more tolerant and understanding of others.

OKTAVIANA

Metro, Lampung

Having listened to and read news about Barack Obama's victory and John McCain's concession speeches, one cannot help but admire their big hearts.

Through people of this caliber, America will inspire the rest of the world to overcome their present financial crisis.

My biggest worry is do we have to wait for more than 200 years as America did, before we can achieve the same level of democracy they have now?

We can learn a lot from the United States on how we can avoid pitfalls when we see them. Can we save Indonesia? Yes we can.

MOELJONO ADIKOESOEMO

Jakarta

It means that the U.S. has transformed its unwritten racial policy -- historically condensed in the well-known acronym WASP, that stands for White AngloSaxon Protestant.

If you want to be an American President you must be White, have AngloSaxon origin and be Protestant. Now they have a black president of Kenyan origins, that is great. This is a new stage in Americas modern democracy. We Indonesians should learn much from this radical transformation.

FRANS EFBE

Bandung

I hope Obama will be able to stabilize the world's economy.

IKA DESTY AMINAH

Metro, Lampung

I think his first priority should be getting trust from all Americans including those who voted for McCain. By getting the whole country behind him, it will be easier for him to make important decisions.

ONE

Jakarta

Obama should focus on domestic issues like resolving the financial crisis/economic slowdown, redistribution of income through tax policy to drive economic activity in the country.

Due to the domestic financial crisis which has turned into the global economic meltdown, his administration should work together with other developed countries as well as the rising economic powers like China, India and Brazil.

In foreign issues, he should focus on the gradual removal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

ABDUL RAHIM

Tangerang, Banten

Barack Obama must prove to all his supporters he can be American President even though he is black.

ROYKHANATUL MUNTADHIRO

Metro, Lampung

The victory of Obama is not a product of his campaign team. But Obama is able to convince his supporters that he believes in the unity in diversity of the U.S.. Such vision will bring peace and prosperity, not only to America.

JOKO S.

Bogor, West Java

Obama's victory means a triumph over a cynical, fear-based, corrupt, fundamentalist ideology that has caused so much division and destruction. A victory for hope, progress and world unity!

THERIN

Ubud, Bali

As an elected president of the U.S., he should unite all nations from all continents in peace. No more terrorism that causes fear, violence, poverty and death.

GLORIA

Jakarta

Obama should look and think globally but act locally. Do worthy projects like bringing potable water to every man, woman and child for Planet Earth and/or electrify the global village with green energy like solar, wind, biogas etc.

KENNETH CHEN

Jakarta

This could be the beginning of an improved relationship between RI and the U.S. Not many people know that the U.S. is one of the first friends Indonesia made when it proclaimed its independence from the Netherlands after WW II: U.S. congress and the U.S. government pressured the Dutch to "let go" of Indonesia in 1949.

Today there's mistrust and animosity between (people and leaders of) the two countries, RI and the U.S.. Barack needs no advise the U.S. medias interpretation of Indonesia because he understands it better. Indonesians trust him as one of their own. All this translates to goodwill, and that's a good start.

Peace.

INGGITA

Jakarta

I'm so happy with Obama's victory. Most people in the world support him as a U.S. president. It means Obama is believed to bring peace and create equality among all nations in the world.

MITAH

Surabaya

With Obama as U.S. president, I hope there will be no wars in the world and his policy is expected to have a good impact to the world.

SURAJI

Tangerang, Banten

Barack Obama's victory means his wife, aides, advisers, bodyguards and the world have a moment to savor. For me, it is a moment of astonished reflection.

DINI HARMITA

Bogor, West Java

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