Ani Yudoyono: a Presidential Candidate?

 

During the general elections in 2004 and 2009, the political party of President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) i.e. the Democrat Party, won majority popular vote

And based on those victories, the Democrat Party nominated SBY as candidate in the 2004 and 2009 Presidential elections, which were won triumphantly.

According to the amended Constitution of 1945, SBY can only hold Presidential office for two terms,  five years each, therefore he cannot be nominated again when his second office term ends in 2014.

As the strongest political party, the Democrat Party should have an eligible candidate for the next President election, so as to compete with candidates from other strong parties such as the Golkar Party which seems to plant to nominate its Chairman Aburizal Bakrie, the business conglomerate, as candidate.

Although, Aburizal Bakrie's name has been marred by the disastrous Hot Mudflow caused by his company's failure to follow standard procedure in gas exploration in Sidoardjo, East Java, however until now he is the most popular candidate.

Of course, there is former President Megawati of the Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle (PDIP) but many people questioned her ability, besides she is too old  (65).

So if the Democrat Party wants to lead the government again in 2014-2019, it has to nominate someone who can beat the popularity and quality of Aburizal Bakrie. But unfortunately, the Party doesn't seem to have one.
Its Chairman, Anas Urbaningrum is said to be allegedly connected with the wrong doings by members of Democrat Party, its other leader i.e. the Speaker of House of Representatives Marzuki Alie is not popular because of the bad public statements he has made.

Considering this fact, one of the Democrat Party leaders i.e. former lawyer Ruhut Sitompul has repeatedly made public statements saying that the best candidate would be President SBY's wife namely Mrs. Ani Yudoyono (click here).

However, according to the presidential spokesman Julian Pasha (click here) SBY has no plan to prepare any member of his family to be his successor.

Photo:  Courtesy of Skala News

Presidential Election Candidates

On Saturday, 16 May 2009, 3 pairs of candidate President-Vice President who will run forthe Presidential Election on 8 July have registered themselves with the General Election Commission (KPU). Afterwards they have all gone through general medical checkup and reported their wealth so as to comply with the Presidential Election Law.

The first pair is incumbent Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Chairman of the Golkar Party as Candidate President, and retired Army General Wiranto, Chairman of the Hanura Party as Candidate Vice President.
The second pair is former President Megawati, Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party in Struggle, as Candidate President, and retired Army General Prabowo Subijanto as Candidate Vice President.
The last pair is incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono, Head of the Supervision Committee of the Democrat Party, and the non partisan Governor of Bank Indonesia i.e Prof.Dr. Boediono as Candidate Vice President. Justice Welfare Party (PKS), National Mandate Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB), plus 21 other smaller parties.
All candidates are confident that they will pass the medical check-up. If KPU declare that they eligible, they should prepare themselves for the election campaign. And according to KPU Regulation No. 28/2009 Art.33 Par.1, the campaign period would be 3 days after KPU declared their eligibility until 3 days before the Election Day on 8 July.

Now that the political parties have announced their candidate Presidents & Vice Presidents, I hope that they would all make sure that the efforts to win their candidates would be done peacefully and respectfully, avoiding any violence and foul play including money politics.