WIRANTO SHOPS AT KARAWANG MARKET

Karawang, West Java, June 22 (ANTARA) - Vice presidential candidate Wiranto and his wife, Mrs. Uga Wiranto, shopped at Karawang Pasar Baru traditional market here on Monday.

The first commodity he bought was greater galingale as he had a throat problem.

"Is this 'kencur' (greater galingale)?" he asked a trader, who responded "yes, Sir'.

"How much is this?, I will buy this because it happens that I am not feeling well," he said while touching his throat.

Wiranto and his spouse later bought several vegetables such as broccoli, grated coconut, and tofu. He also bought several household equipment such as water dipper, and a rice scoop.

Apart from shopping, the vice presidential aspirant from the Golkar and Hanura (People's Conscience) parties also greeted a number of local traders.

"Assalamulaikum...," Wiranto said while waving his hand and shaking hand with local traders and other buyers.

From Karawang Pasar Baru, Wiranto visited Johar traditional market, also in Karawang, to greet and hold dialogs with local traders and buyers.

After visiting the two traditional markets in Kerawang, Wiranto was scheduled to hold a dialogic campaign and a gathering with about 1,000 ulemas (Muslim scholars) and local prominent figures from Bekasi District, in Bekasi city.
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 elections will be held on July 8, 2009.

Retired general Wiranto, who pairs with presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla, is competing with other candidates, namely incumbent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who pairs with Boediono, an economist, as well as with former president Megawati Soekarnoputri and retired general Prabowo in the upcoming presidential race.

Presidential candidate M Jusuf Kalla when campaigning in Papua on Monday said he was optimistic he will win the upcoming presidential race on account of the wide support he was receiving from various elements of the public.