With just a week to presidential elections in Indonesia, one man has emerged with an unbeatable lead. Outpolling all his rivals, including his old boss, President Megawati, and with a 45 percent approval rating, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says he's confident of victory. Once he's in power, the former general has promised to create jobs, reduce poverty and renew the fight against terrorism.

Presenter/Interviewer: Michael Maher

Speakers: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian presidential front-runner

SBY: Well, I want to know also the answer. But if I could just refer to the result of the survey, people may like me because of my seriousness in dealing with problems in this country, my vision and my personality.

That's why I try to maintain to ... so that I do what I say and I say what I do. And I continuously communicate to the people my solution for solving many problems in the future.

Maher: Do they like you, as well, because you're a former general? Do they like you because they see you as a strong leader, a leader with, perhaps, his general's stars still rusted on who can solve the many problems Indonesia faces?

SBY: The reality is some elements of our society actually refuse the presence of the candidate with military background, but the majority says differently. So that might be a factor but I have to know further on that picture.

Maher: Why is that? Because the military in Indonesia, during the era of Suharto, committed lots of human rights abuses. Why is it, do you think, that a substantial proportion of the Indonesian electorate wants a military man in power?

SBY: Yes, I think many people think that they cannot generalise the figures of today's politicians with what has been done in the past by the military during Suharto era. And I think people also know that the military has conducted serious reforms and I am part of the reform. I led the generals to draw the blueprint of the military reforms in 1998 and 1999. In my view, I think this reality influenced the minds of the people – that they not necessarily refuse the presence of the candidate with military background.

Maher: Now, of course, one of your main rivals is another general, Wiranto. Now, of course, Wiranto in the West is indelibly associated with the issue of East Timor, the human rights abuses committed there in 1999. You were also an officer in East Timor many years ago. How come none of that association has been attached to you? You don't seem to have suffered from that association with East Timor.

SBY: The difference is Pak Wiranto was in the command. I think he has to claim responsibility over what happened in East Timor back in 1999. And I had different portfolio at that time.

Maher: Do you think, given Wiranto was in command, that he should be punished for his role in East Timor? After all, there does need to be responsibility, doesn't there, in these matters?

SBY: I think the legal process is under way, and I should not intervene in the process of the...I should say...legal process on that case.

Maher: Human rights activists in your country are worried that if either yourself or Wiranto is elected that the clock in Indonesia will be turned back towards a more authoritarian style of government. What can you say to allay those fears?

SBY: I do understand that kind of perception. It is going too far, I believe. I think people know that in the last four to five years, I think there is no indication at all that military will play a socio-political role as has been played in the past. And I think this is an indication that military reform is moving well. I have to take a little note, though, that our active generals have to continue this reform, have to respect democracy and never engage again in practical politics.

Maher: Do you believe that dual function is finished?

SBY: Finished. Finished. I believe very strongly. But it has to be maintained, has to be managed, because the problems related to civil-military relations in Indonesia not only rely on the generals but also on the politicians. Both sides have to be educated to respect the nature of civil-military relations.

Maher: Finally, in the West, one of the reasons that Western governments are quite keen for you to be elected president is you're seen as strong on terrorism. First of all, do you believe that the government of Megawati Sukarnoputri wasn't tough enough on terrorism? And if you are elected, will you be tougher?

SBY: Well, I will continue the serious effort of the Indonesian government to combat terrorism because it's in our own interests. Of course, we have to cooperate with friendly nations, with my neighbouring countries, but to be understood that we need our country... be safer because we suffered a lot in the past two to four years because of terrorism. So I will continue this national endeavour in combating terrorism, for sure.