Dian Kuswandini, Jakarta – Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) remain the most popular political parties ahead of next year's national elections, while incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's popularity has dropped below that of predecessor Megawati Soekarnoputri, according to a new survey.
The survey by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that Golkar remained the most popular party, with 20.3 percent of respondents saying they would vote for it. Support for the PDI-P was at 18.1 percent.
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) was in third with 11.8 percent. The National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Democratic Party ranked fourth and fifth, with 6.8 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively.
"The popularity of the Democratic Party was only a temporary phenomena, with only 18.7 percent of 251 of its voters in the 2004 elections saying they would vote for it again in the next elections," survey coordinator Nico T. B. Harijanto said Tuesday.
The survey was conducted in May and involved 3,000 respondents in 13 provinces. The survey, with an estimated margin of error at 1.79 percent, claimed to represent 85 percent of the country's population and 76 percent of the House of Representatives' seats.
Nico said Golkar overtook other parties due to its high number of loyal voters and its reputation for experienced and qualified leaders. He added leaders of the PDI-P were considered the most pro-workers.
"Golkar was the most popular party among younger voters aged less than 22 years old, with 19 percent of respondents saying they would vote for it," he said, adding this came as a surprise.
The survey also found support for the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) had fallen, with many former supporters turning to the PKS.
The survey also showed a decline in Yudhoyono's popularity, with a favorable rating from just 14.7 percent of respondents compared to 23.2 percent for former president Megawati.
"Yudhoyono's popularity has continued to decline due to his failure to improve the country's economy. The public has seen him put more focus on security issues," Nico said, adding that respondents put the strongest emphasis on welfare issues like basic commodity prices and poverty, compared to corruption, education, health and security.
"The popularity of Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubowono X soared as an alternative candidate, placing him third with 8.8 percent of support," he said.
The sultan was followed by People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid and former Indonesian Military chief (ret) Gen. Wiranto, with 7.9 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively.
Next was Golkar Party chairman and Vice President Jusuf Kalla and former president Abdurrahman Wahid, with 4.2 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively.
The survey also found that 35 percent of respondents would make up their mind on both presidential candidates and political parties on the day of elections. "Most people tend to have a wait-and-see attitude," Nico said.
He said the survey also found Indonesians were no longer easily manipulated and intimidated, with only 21.4 percent of respondents saying they would vote for parties that offered them money or other compensation.