Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – Indonesians should prepare themselves for more of the same in 2009 as only familiar faces seem set to compete in the forthcoming presidential elections.

In addition to former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, other old faces would likely include incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

Secretary General of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Zannuba "Yenny" Arifah Chafsoh Rahman Wahid said her party would likely nominate for presidency its founder and chief patron Gus Dur – also her father.

"PKB has no choice other than Gus Dur," Yenny said Friday. "If he says yes today, PKB will declare his nomination tomorrow. But he is really unpredictable because he could say yes today and no tomorrow."

Yenny said it was not easy for PKB to nominate a presidential candidate other than her father because said candidates must met criteria including competence, support and funds.

Chairman of the Democratic Party (PD) faction at the House of Representatives, Syarief Hasan, said Yudhoyono would run for presidency with or without Kalla as a running mate.

"Yudhoyono's candidacy will be announced three months before the end of his tenure, to let him focus on his presidency," Syarief said. "The President is still focusing on improving the government's performance in the next two years to ensure he is fit and proper for a re-election in 2009," he said.

Syarief said PD would have no problem seeking another vice presidential candidate if Kalla no longer wished to be Yudhoyono's running mate for a second term.

Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Pramono Anung Wibowo said his party had declared Megawati's nomination two years before the race to allow her adequate time to campaign.

"We are showing to the people that Megawati is making changes and preparing concrete programs to address the major problems the nation is facing," he said.

Former chairman of Golkar Party, Akbar Tanjung, criticized Kalla for recently saying Golkar would likely not hold an internal convention to net presidential candidates. Akbar said the convention should be held to ensure a democracy in Golkar because the party did not belong to Kalla.

"Unlike PD, which was established as political vehicle for Yudhoyono in 2004, Golkar was founded as a nationalist major party to develop democracy in the country, and the party belongs to all the people," he said.

Akbar said he was ready to be a presidential or vice presidential candidate to accompany either Megawati or Yudhoyono.

Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X said he was waiting to be approached by political parties to run for presidency. He said his main programs were to address economic difficulties and to improve social welfare.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso is set to end his governorship on Monday and has declared his intention to run for presidency. He also said he would wait for an invitation from parties to nominate him.

Existing regulations say a presidential candidate can only run if nominated by a party or a coalition of parties.