Indonesian ex-general declared victor

Former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono looks at his watch before Indonesian election committee announcement of the presidential election result, in West Java yesterday. Yudhoyono declared victor yesterday in Indonesia's first ever direct presidential elections as officials confirmed his landslide win. PHOTO: AFP

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono won Indonesia's presidential election run-off in a landslide, capping a rapid rise to power for the former general who has vowed to create jobs, stamp out graft and fight terrorism.

Final results released yesterday gave Yudhoyono 60.6 percent of Indonesia's first direct leadership ballot while incumbent Megawati Sukarnoputri took 39.4 percent.

The election commission said the result from the Sept. 20 poll would be formally announced at 4.00 p.m. (0900 GMT), although a Megawati spokesman said her team might file a complaint to the Constitutional Court over alleged fraud.

In brief remarks to reporters, Yudhoyono did not explicitly declare victory but spoke just after the numbers had shown the magnitude of his win.

"If that is the result, I thank the people of Indonesia and will soon form the next government and formulate a 100-day program," Yudhoyono said near his home south of Jakarta.