Retired general headed for big Indonesia victory

By MARILYN AUGUST
The Associated Press

Susilo Yudhoyono: "the thinking general"

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JAKARTA, Indonesia — Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the retired four-star general who won Indonesia's first direct presidential election in an overwhelming manner Sunday, led the fight against Indonesia's main al-Qaida-linked militant group, but — in a country wary of military dictatorships and human-rights violations — also has projected an image of caution, even earning the nickname "the thinking general."

With half the votes counted today, Yudhoyono had 60 percent to President Megawati Sukarnoputri's 40 percent in the runoff election.

As Megawati's security minister, Yudhoyono, 55, led the crackdown against Muslim militants after the Bali bombing in 2002 and the Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta in 2003. More than 100 militants have been jailed so far, and more than 50 have been convicted, including three who were sentenced to death. The assault is thought to have dispersed the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah, believed now to have split into smaller groups with less coordination.

Besides being Indonesia's point man on terrorism since 2001, Yudhoyono has sought to settle the country's bloodiest conflict, the 28-year separatist insurgency in Aceh province. He negotiated a six-month cease-fire with the rebels, but Megawati pulled out of the deal under pressure from hard-line generals.

Yudhoyono's military background includes the powerful post of chief of staff of the territorial forces in East Timor, the Portuguese colony that Indonesia invaded and occupied in 1975, and which later had a bloody transition to self-rule in 1999. Questions have also been raised about his alleged role in human-rights abuses, including a 1996 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Jakarta.

Analysts say it is unlikely that he will aggressively pursue human-rights abusers in the military or in cases stemming to the regime of Suharto, the dictator who was ousted in 1998.

During the campaign, Yudhoyono, who is known by his initials "SBY," dismissed concerns by some rights activists that his military background might lead to a return to the repressive days of the regime of Suharto.

"Even though I come from a military background, I respect democratic norms," he said last week. "See whether I am repressive over the next five years. Keep an eye on me."

However, earlier this year, he said in a speech that "democracy, human rights, concern for the environment and other concepts being promoted by Western countries are all good, but they cannot become absolute goals because pursuing them as such will not be good for the country."
 
Although Yudhoyono has earned the praise of the United States for his campaign against Jemaah Islamiyah, political analysts here said that from a policy standpoint, a Yudhoyono administration wasn't likely to be much different from Megawati's. Both are Muslim leaders with moderate, secular views who are friendly to the United States.

The campaign probably was decided by the public view of Megawati, the daughter of former President Sukarno, who was perceived as aloof and arrogant, an heiress who felt entitled to her throne. She became president in 2001 when Parliament impeached Abdurrahman Wahid on charges of incompetence.

Her administration achieved economic stability, steadying the currency and fueling a surge in local stock prices, but failed to foster enough growth to provide employment for the millions of new job seekers entering the market. Ethnic violence ebbed on some islands but she ordered a brutal military offensive against Aceh separatists that drew criticism from human-rights groups and Western diplomats. Her administration took steps to improve the police and courts but corruption remains rife and rule of law often elusive.

Yudhoyono's main appeal to voters was a promise to crack down on Indonesia's pervasive corruption, an area where Megawati has not succeeded, and the belief that his policies can improve the economy.

His victory will be welcomed by the country's business community, which has said Yudhoyono would attract more foreign investment and push through needed reforms.

The telegenic Yudhoyono was dubbed "the thinking general" by his supporters who appreciate his willingness to examine all sides of an issue before making a decision. But critics call him indecisive. "Yudhoyono has made promises but now people need proof. He's known as indecisive and that is a problem," said human-rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis. "I would tell Yudhoyono to come out of the closet and show that he can lead."

That might be difficult. Although he begins his five-year term with an overwhelming mandate from the voters, his Democrat Party remains a minor player in parliament, having won only 7 percent of the votes in April's elections.

The only son of a retired army officer, Yudhoyono graduated first in his class from the military academy in 1973, rising steadily through the ranks. He trained at Fort Benning, Ga., and completed the U.S. Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

He joined Megawati's administration as security minister in 2001, before quitting in March to contest the presidency.

Material from Knight Ridder Newspapers and The Washington Post is included in this report.