It seems President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is hurt by the decision of Vice President Jusuf Kalla to run for the presidency.

Just as both SBY and JK hurt the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri prior to the previous election, by resigning from the Cabinet, so both may now taste the same bitter-sweet pill.

Megawati did a great favor for both SBY and JK, when they were in the political wilderness after they were sacked by former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, by bringing them into mainstream politics and giving them key coordinating portfolios.

But did they show their gratitude to Megawati? No, instead they stabbed her in the back. But she remained calm.

JK's decision to run for President is great news, not so much for him, but for the country. Someone as unpopular as JK among the working class will face an uphill task to win.

The PDI-P will be the clear winner of the legislative elections on April 9. After the elections, it will be Megawati who will be calling the shots, she will have a clear mandate to choose the most effective and honest Vice President from across a wide range of the political spectrum.

I have always thought of Wiranto as a great man the country needs, but am not sure whether he is a winner as a vice presidential candidate. If Megawati wins the presidency, Wiranto should play a key role in her administration.

Yogyakarta's Sultan Hamenkubowono X is unlikely to be a kingmaker, nor Hidayat Nur Wahid. The PDI-P needs to split the votes of the Golkar Party. Pairing with Prabowo, Megawati will jump-start her presidential campaign ahead of time. The Democratic Party will become an ineffective force, just like the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Don Dissanayake

Queensland, Australia

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