YUDHOYONO APPEARS AT DEMOCRATIC PARTY CAMPAIGN RALLY

Jakarta, March 20 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his capacity as the DemocratIc Party (PD)'s advisory board chairman appeared at the party's campaign rally here on Friday.
The PD seemed to be still relying on Yudhoyono's personality in efforts to attract voters for the legislative elections to be held on April 9.
Thousands of people attended the party's first campaign rally held at the Bung Karno Sports Stadium, many of them wearing T-shirts displaying Yudhoyono's picture.
They enthusiastically moved close to the stage when Yudhoyono arrived to give his speech, shouting "again ....again", which is the party's slogan to support Yudhoyono's reelection in the presidential election to be held in July.
Comments made by some of the rally's participants seemed to show Yudhoyono is the PD's main figure capable of attracting mass support.
Kushendri (35), a taxi driver, said Yudhoyono impressed him as a resolute man commanding people's respect and therefore he was fit to become the leader of a big country like Indonesia.
"I do not know the Democratic Party nor any of its legislative candidates. I only know Pak (Mr) SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono). And so far as a president he has proved to be OK. The country is secure and no clashes have happened," he said.
Mudaris (53), a blind man who attended the rally meanwhile said SBY's words and voice made him conclude that SBY was trustworthy as a leader for the people. "I once hugged him. He is a sympethatic person," he said.
The Cangcuters, a music group highlighting the rally, changed the lyrics of "I Love You Bibeh" into "I Love You SBY" when singing the song, welcomed by the people who danced to the song.