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Candidates hold early presidential poll rallies
Outdoor rallies for the April 9 legislative polls have continued to turn into early campaigns for the July 8 presidential poll, with the General Elections Commission (KPU) not sounding any warning bells
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Outdoor rallies for the April 9 legislative polls have continued to turn into early campaigns for the July 8 presidential poll, with the General Elections Commission (KPU) not sounding any warning bells.
"Long live the Democratic Party and oppoki [reelect] SBY," yelled thousands of people who thronged Mattoangin Stadium in the South Sulawesi capital Makassar, as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono headlined his party's rally Sunday at the hometown of competitor and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
The rally lived up to its billing as a presidential campaign for Yudhoyono, as the incumbent expounded on his administration's successes.
“We are determined to carry on the country’s development, to maintain the good things and fix the shortcomings,” he said.
Yudhoyono, the Democratic Party's chief patron and presidential candidate, concluded his campaign with the song Sempurna (Perfect).
In Jambi, Kalla, chairman of the Golkar Party, promised to improve the country’s economy if elected president.
“If people trust me as president, my first priority is to build infrastructure and improve economic conditions to create a lot of jobs,” he told the thousands gathered at the Tri Lomba Juang Stadium parking lot Sunday.
Kalla also pledged to work better and faster than the current administration in dealing with national development.
“Indonesia needs a smart leader, not just a clever one, but smart and clean,” he said.
Before flying to Banten for another rally, he joined supporters to sing Munajat Cinta (Love prayer), with the lyrics changed to “God sends us a humble and good leader, who loves the people like Jusuf Kalla.”
In Magelang, Central Java, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri was upbeat about reclaiming the presidency.
“I received a huge welcome everywhere I campaigned. Insya'Allah [God willing] my presidential bid will be successful,” she told party supporters outside the Darussalam Islamic boarding school.
Megawati also called on supporters to keep a close watch at polling stations for signs of possible fraud.
In Jakarta, the National Awakening Party (PKB) held a rally Sunday at the Senayan sports hall, where it handed out 10,000 free birth certificates to supporters.
The results of the legislative election will determine which parties qualify for the presidential poll.
Yudhoyono, Kalla and Megawati have declared their presidential bids. Both Yudhoyono and Kalla have intensified their weekend campaigns, in addition to mid-week rallies.
While admitting there was no formal punishment for premature campaigning for the presidential election, KPU member Syamsul Bahri called on all parties to refrain from campaigning for the presidency during legislative rallies.
“Please be patient, we will set a different schedule for the presidential campaign. Just focus on the legislative elections now,” he said.
Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) executive director Hadar N. Gumay agreed presidential candidates should not exploit legislative rallies to promote their presidential bids.
Jon Afrizal contributed to this report from Jambi.
