MEGAWATI ASKS PEOPLE TO FORGET 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Banyumas, Central Java, June 22 (ANTARA) - Presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri has asked the people of Banyumas to forget the 2004 presidential election and use their voting right smartly in the upcoming election
"The 2004 poll was indeed the first direct presidential election. Now we already have experience in electing a president, so we should be smarter," former president Megawati said at a campaign rally held at Bendung Gerak Serayu here on Monday.

The wrong choice made in the 2004 general elections should not recur, she said apparently referring to her defeat to incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the 2004 election.

"It should not be like in 2004. Candidates making a lot of promises, and everyone was charmed, and now everybody is suffering," she said.

In the campaign, Megawati made a speech instead of holding a dialog with local farmers. A dialog with five farmers had initially been scheduled with Budiman Sudjatmiko and Adi Satria as moderators.

Megawati, chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), said farmers' wishes would become her commitment and she and her running mate Prabowo Subianto would realize the wishes.

Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo had also provided adequate fertilizer stocks for the province's farmers, she said.

Governor Bibit Waluyo, who had been supported by PDID in the previous regional head elections, had reported to her that subsidized fertilizers had been distributed to local farmers, she said.

"If I am allowed to be the next president, it will be easier for me to give directions (to governors), and not half way," she said.

Therefore, she urged the Banyumas people to support her and her running mate Prabowo in the presidential race.

After the speech, Megawati signed a 11-point 'political contract' with the Community of Pinggir Alas Farmers (Kompas), among other things on increasing the allocations for agricultural development in the state and regional budgets, guarantees for adequate subsidized fertilizers and seeds, and a guarantee for the marketing of agricultural products.

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