YUDHOYONO, KALLA EXPECTED TO WORK IN HARMONY AGAIN

Jakarta, July 10 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian public expect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla to be able to work together again harmoniously as president and vice president after Wednesday's presidential race, an observer said.

"The Indonesian people are hoping relations between Yudhoyono and Kalla as president and vice president will return to normal until the end of their term in office," political observer from the University of Indonesia Abdul Gafur Sangadji said here on Friday.

He said as national leaders, Yudhoyono and Kalla should put the national interest above anything else although they had been rivals in the political arena.

"I think, relations between Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla will be in harmony again as it is seen in Kalla's openness to congratulate Yudhoyono on his winning Wednesday's presidential election," Abdul Gafur said.

He said people did expect such an attitude of Kalla, because in democracy there were of course differences in opinion but this could be overcome if the leaders concerned were able to give a good example.

"Such an attitude should be followed by other political elite in order to stabilize and maintain democratic stability in the country," Abdul Gafur Sangadji said.

He also admitted that in his observation during the election campaigns, the cabinet seemed inactive because a number of ministers took their leave and got themselves involved in the election campaign rallies.

"Hopefully starting next week the government activity will return to normal and smoothen the public services," Abdul Gafur said.

He added that a number of ministers in Yudhoyono-Boediono pair's success team during the election were among others Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Suryadharma Ali, Minister/State Secretary Hatta Radjasa, State Minister for Accelerated Development of Disadvantaged Regions Muhammad Lukman Edy, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi, and State Minister for Administrative Reforms Taufik Effendi.

While the ministers in Jusuf Kalla-Wiranto pair's campaign team were among others Minister for National Development Planning Board Paskah Suzetta, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakries, and Industry Minister Fahmi Idris.