DECLINING PERFORMANCE, YUDHOYONO STILL POPULAR
Tempo Interactive - October 8, 2007TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The level of public satisfaction in President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's performance has gone down from 80 percent in November 2004 to only 54 percent this October.
However, based on a survey carried out by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI), the President is still more popular compared to other national figures.
“In almost all aspects, Yudhuono’s performance is regarded as declining, even in corruption eradication which is his most favorite program,” said LSI's Executive Director, Saiful Mujani, when presenting the survey results at the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, yesterday (7/10).
The general public, he said, was disappointed because the President was considered as being unable to overcome the greatest problems in Indonesia, which are economic and prosperity problems.
Although economic growth has increased, the economic life of middle and lower class people is becoming worse.
“Java and Bali are two regions where people are most disappointed,” said Saiful.
Previously, on Thursday last week, LSI's survey, led by Denny J.A., it was stated that the level of public satisfaction in Yudhoyono was only 35 percent.
This is a dramatic decrease from the level of 80 percent in 2004.
Yudhoyono responded to the survey by saying, “There are times when it's low and when it's high. I think that shows objectivity. If there is a disaster or unfavorable situation, the survey (result) on me is low. I accept that,” he said in front of his supporters two days ago (6/10).
It is interesting to take notice that the lowering positive sentiment for the President is not in line with the decline of sentiment for him.
If a presidential election were held now, based on the survey of 1,300 respondents throughout Indonesia, it is estimated that Yudhoyono would still obtain 35.5 percent support.
Megawati would obtain 28 percent, Wiranto seven percent, Amien Rais 6.5 percent, Hidayat Nur Wahid fivr percent, Jusuf Kalla four percent and former Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso only one percent. [TITIS SETIANINGTYAS]
Source: Tempo Interactive -- www.tempointeraktif.com