Debnath Guharoy, Consultant – Election fever has died down. A new Cabinet is in the making. And a new poll reflects an upbeat Indonesia.

The big question today many people are thinking: Will President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono live up to his people's expectations?

To gauge people's post-election sentiments, market research company, Roy Morgan Research, recently conducted a poll across Indonesia. There were 2,058 respondents 14 years and older who were asked one overriding question addressing five aspects of Indonesia's incoming government.

"What do you think will happen in the next five years under SBY" the central question asked, relating to five key aspects: the economy, national security, jobs, the price of everyday essentials and corruption.

The results indicated a buoyant national mood. Across the country – young, old, male, female, urban and rural – the survey showed Indonesians have high hopes for Indonesia.

Observations were the youth were more positive than their elders, and women more cautiously optimistic than men – as were rural folk in comparison to their city cousins.

Fifty-one percent said Indonesia's economy in the next five years would be "better than now". Four percent said it would be "much better than now". Another 39 percent expected the situation to "remain the same". Only one in 10 Indonesians expected economic conditions to worsen.

The doom and gloom was shared predominantly by urban males. Indonesia's security situation was also expected to improve, with almost half the country agreeing it would. Despite the recent bombings, this response should have a positive impact on the country and its relations with other countries.

Another 43 percent expected things to "remain the same", with only 10 percent feeling more insecure.

But it was the job market that instilled the biggest amount of hope in the people. Fifty-five percent of respondents believed more jobs would become available and unemployment would ease over the next five years.

People living in rural Indonesia are only slightly more positive than their urban counterparts concerning unemployment levels.

It is anticipated the government's recent efforts to boost the workforce with funding from both federal and local levels, will have a positive effect for Indonesians across the nation. The area Indonesians were most apprehensive about was the issue of commodity prices.

Women were the most affected by the rising prices of everyday essentials. Only 14 percent of women expected the pain to ease while 33 percent believed the situation would "remain the same".

However, 53 percent were convinced prices would continue to rise and conditions would be "worse than now" over the next five years.

This response is sobering and paints a picture of a hopeful but wary nation.

The President struck a chord with the electorate on one of Indonesia's most pressing social issues: corruption.

The survey showed a solid number of Indonesians have faith in the President's promise to continue the battle against corruption. Today, half the country believes the incoming cabinet will continue to combat corruption and conditions will be "better than now". In fact, 14 percent of respondents expected it would be "much better than now".

The President and the incoming cabinet have an opportunity to create history for Indonesia's young and vibrant democracy.

The President has been poised to become a leader of iconic proportions, with the support of optimistic Indonesians behind him. Whether he will live up to their expectations or dash their hopes in the next five-year-term is yet to be seen.

Meeting Indonesia's challenges will require the courage and determination of a man who has good intentions.

However, it has been claimed the world today has little to offer him by way of example. Moral decay continues around the globe, despite promising government structures.

The United States is an example. Wall Street is getting ready to pay some of the highest-paid executives a large payout in bonuses. Some US$140 billion has been set aside for these executives.

The fact this payout was funded by taxpayers has been shoved to one side. Some would say the bonus is akin to rewarding rapists with teaching roles at girls' schools.

Since the global financial crisis began in September last year, 100 million more people were added to world's list of people living on the brink of starvation.

The never-ending juxtaposition of the "filthy rich" and the "filthy poor" will hopefully give the President and his government reason to pause and reconsider.

People's wellbeing cannot be sacrificed due to extreme views, whether they are left- wing or right-wing. Finding middle ground is the key to a successful future for Indonesia, and social justice should not be presided over by free-market principles.

The Indonesian poll, conducted by Roy Morgan Research, is a syndicated survey with over 25,000 respondents 14 years and older interviewed each year. The survey represents almost 90 percent of Indonesia's population. The data is updated every 90 days.

[The writer can be contacted at Debnath.Guharoy@roymorgan.com.]