09.21.2004 The Straits Times
Bambang leads with half of votes counted in Indonesian election
JAKARTA - With nearly half of the votes counted on Tuesday, former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who led the fight against terrorism in Indonesia is leading with 60.2 per cent of the votes in a presidential runoff heralded as a key step for democracy in the world's most populous Muslim nation.
Incumbent President Megawati Sukarnoputri had 39.7 per cent, according to the General Election Commission. More than 62 million votes had been counted by midday on Tuesday. About 80 per cent of the 153 million registered voters cast their ballot in the country's first-ever direct presidential election, officials said.
The Washington-based National Democratic Institute said its 'Quick Count' survey gave Mr Bambang 61 per cent of the vote and 39 per cent to Ms Megawati, who stabilised the economy but saw her popularity wane because of anger over continuing graft.
Mr Bambang has declined to claim victory, while Ms Megawati did not concede. Aides for both said they would wait until the official tally is announced Oct 5. The new president will be sworn in Oct 20.
News of a likely Bambang victory was welcomed by investors. The stock market opened up 1.5 per cent and the US dollar fell 1 per cent against the Indonesian rupiah currency. -- AP |
