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Indonesia leader Yudhoyono wins 2nd term easily

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-09 08:58

BOGOR, Indonesia: Voters handed President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono a second five-year term Wednesday, placing their faith in his firm but unassuming hand on the economic tiller and his promises of further reform.

Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono greets residents after voting in Cikeas Wednesday. [Agencies]

Official results from the election will not be announced until later this month, but "quick count" results - which have proved extremely reliable in the past - showed Yudhoyono had won enough votes to avoid a run-off with his nearest rival.

Not known for jumping to a conclusion, Yudhoyono declared his own resounding victory as the results rolled in from across the archipelago of 226 million.

"The quick counts show our success, thanks be to God," the 59-year-old former army general said as jubilant supporters flocked to his home in Bogor, Java island, to congratulate him.

With virtually all of the LSI polling agency's sample of votes counted, Yudhoyono's tally stood at a commanding 60.82 percent. Other agencies put his score slightly lower, but all showed he was comfortably above the halfway mark needed to avoid a second round.

The election, only the second direct vote for a president in Indonesia, cements the country's transition to democracy after a checkered history. It is also likely to accelerate reforms in Southeast Asia's biggest economy, which could lure foreign investment, create jobs and shore up flagging growth.

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Indonesian stocks, bonds and the rupiah have rallied this year on the prospect of a Yudhoyono win, and analysts now see them rising further on the results. Jakarta markets were closed Wednesday for the poll.

A decade ago, Indonesia was the sick man of Asia. After 32 years of rule by Suharto, who oversaw a system of entrenched corruption and nepotism, it stood on the brink of political, social, and financial collapse.

Yudhoyono's government has since brought political stability, peace and the best economic performance in a decade. Today, some see Indonesia on another brink: of economic take-off and joining the emerging "BRIC" economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Nevertheless, the world's most-populous Muslim nation is hardly problem-free: corruption is widespread, infrastructure is in dire need of an overhaul and millions live in poverty. Analysts say Yudhoyono is likely to pick more technocrats, and fewer politicians to fill his next cabinet so that the government can promote reform.

Reuters