Indonesia Ahead Of The United States In Presidential Election

Surabaya, E Java, Aug 21 (Antara) - US Consul General in Surabaya Joaquin Monserrate said Indonesia is ahead of the United States in presidential election. Monserrate said Barack Obama was named president in 2008 in an election participated in by only 131,071,135 people. "Here 133,577,277 people took part in the July 9 presidential election. It was a world record," he said in a social gathering in this East Java capital on Thursday. The fact indicates that more people in Indonesian than in the United States believe in democracy, he said in the gathering attended by tens of community and religious leaders, government officials and academicians. "It was said that Indonesians are not yet ready for democracy. Some even said that democracy would not work in Indonesia, but the fact is there were 133 million more people gave their votes for democratic system here," he said. He said he hope the United States would regain the record in 2016 when that country holds its next presidential election. When asked who is his favorite candidate for president in Indonesia, he said he gave his support only for the Indonesian people. He made the statement hours before the Indonesian Constitutional Court confirmed the Election Commission decision naming Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo and his running mate Jusuf Kalla as president and vice president elect. Jokowi, as the governor is better known and Jusuf Kalla would be sworn in as president and vice president for the next five years. Monserrate said the United States is ready to expand cooperation with Indonesia in various fields. He said the United States and Indonesia could expand cooperation in the sectors of education, economy, social affairs and development of democracy. "Perhaps we could cooperate in promoting democracy in Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand. Yes it is just possible," he said. He said the United States has long established cooperation in the educational sector with East Java and West Java. The Consulate has sent 160 volunteers grouped in "Peace Corps" to teach English in junior and senior high schools. Cooperation has also been expanded in the social and economic sectors, he said, adding, "in a US Independence Day Roadshow to Malang, Batu, Blitar, Ponorogo, Madiun, Ngawi, Jombang, Mojokerto, and Bangkalan, we were given a friendly welcome that we feel at home." At the social gathering Monserrate introduced six new diplomats assigned to work at the US Consulate General.