IN THE NEWS - Indonesia's Presidential Election

IN THE NEWS - Indonesia's Presidential Election
By Cynthia Kirk

Broadcast: Saturday, September 25, 2004

This is Steve Ember with In the News in VOA Special English.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to become the next president of Indonesia. With most ballots¹ counted, the former military chief and security minister has a wide lead over President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

 
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono 
Both candidates say they will not comment on the election until final results are announced October fifth. The new president is to be sworn-in October twentieth.

The election was Monday. The next day, a measure of leading Indonesian stocks closed at an all-time high in reaction to the apparent victory. Traders say the market rose in hopes of aggressive economic measures by Mister Yudhoyono.

The Indonesian economy has suffered since the Asian financial crisis that began in nineteen ninety-seven. Mister Yudhoyono has said he hopes to increase foreign investment by improving legal protections for businesses.

But he could have difficulty winning support for his programs in parliament. Political parties allied² with Mizz Megawati hold a majority of seats.

Mister Yudhoyono would be Indonesia's fourth head of state since nineteen ninety-eight. That was when protests forced President Suharto to resign. A former general, he ruled the country for thirty-two years. Under Mister Suharto, lawmakers and representatives of the military and provinces chose the president. The next leader will be the country's first directly elected president.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is known to most Indonesians as S.B.Y. He helped start the Democratic Party in two thousand-two. The former military commander served in the governments of Abdurrahman Wahid and President Megawati.

 
Graphic³ Image
He was dismissed after he refused to support emergency measures to prevent the ouster of President Wahid. And he left the government of President Megawati in March in another dispute.

Mister Yudhoyono campaigned as a new independent voice. He said he would provide strong but fair leadership for the more than two hundred million people in Indonesia. He also said he would improve the economy, create more jobs and put an end to separatist and ethnic⁴ violence.

He also promised strong action against terrorism. This has helped make him popular with many Western governments.

Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population. There have been three major attacks there in the past two years. The most recent was the bombing this month near the Australian embassy in Jakarta. Nine people were killed.

The attacks have been linked to Jemaah Islamiyah, a group tied to al-Qaida. Some of the top suspects remain free.

In a speech to parliament Thursday, President Megawati apologized for her government's record in fighting terrorism. She said international cooperation is needed to do the job effectively.

In the News, in VOA Special English, was written by Cynthia Kirk. This is Steve Ember.

1 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 allied   

adj.协约国的；同盟国的

参考例句：

• Britain was allied with the United States many times in history.历史上英国曾多次与美国结盟。
• Allied forces sustained heavy losses in the first few weeks of the campaign.同盟国在最初几周内遭受了巨大的损失。

3 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。

4 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。