YUDHOYONO HOLDS DIALOG WITH TANAH ABANG MARKET TRADERS

Jakarta, June 11 (ANTARA) - Presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a dialog with traders of Jakarta's Tanah Abang market organized by a private television station here on Thursday.

The dialog dubbed "Presidential candidate visits market" was held at the Block A building of the Tanah Abang market complex.

Held openly, the president talked directly with local traders and buyers. A number of businessmen and professionals also attended the dialog.

Earlier, presidential hopeful from the Golkar Party, Jusuf Kalla, had been engaged in a similar dialog on June 10, 2009. Another presidential candidate, Megawati Soekarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDIP), is reported also planning to meet people at the Tanah Abang market.

The dialogs by the three presidential candidates in the middle of the market will be broadcast by one of the private televisions on June 22 to 25, 2009.

Upon his arrival at the market, Yudhoyono was warmly greeted by traders and guests. Prior to the dialog, the presidential aspirant from the Democratic Party toured the market.

Among those present in the dialog were Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu and Cooperatives and Small Scale Business Minister Suryadharma Ali.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has set schedules for closed-door campaigning from June 2 to 10, and mass rallies from June 11 to July 4, 2009. The presidential election will be held on July 8, 2009.

Incumbent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who pairs with Boediono, is competing with other candidates, namely Jusuf Kalla and his running mate retired General Wiranto, as well as with former president Megawati Soekarnoputri and Prabowo in the upcoming presidential race.

Earlier, on Thursday, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his capacity as the country's head of state checked preparations for the implementation of the upcoming presidential election in the capital city.

The head of state asked Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo about the fixed voters' lists (DPTs) and preparation of polling stations (TPS), Governor Fauzi Bowo told the press after a meeting with the president.