Abdul Khalik, Jakarta – Sri Sultan Hamengkubowono X has been deemed the country's most competent presidential candidate, defeating both President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his predecessor, Megawati Soekarnoputri, according to a study released here Tuesday.
The study, conducted by the Society for Democracy Education (P2D), was based on evaluations from 16 experts in various academic disciplines.
Sultan, the current governor of Yogyakarta, was seen as the candidate with the strongest commitment to pluralism, the best response to social problems and the greatest capacity to make quick decisions, the study found.
He topped the list of 12 figures declaring their 2009 presidential bids, with an average score among the 16 experts of 6.2 out of a possible 10.
Former Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tanjung, Yudhoyono and Megawati were ranked second, third and fourth, with average scores of 6.01, 6 and 4.95, respectively.
Experts evaluated candidates on the basis of eight indicators including commitment to human rights, corruption eradication and pluralism as well as managerial capability and responsiveness.
The P2D is an NGO managed by several prominent social and community leaders including noted lawyer and human rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis, Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra and noted agricultural expert H.S. Dillon.
"Sultan has proven his pluralism as both a king and a religious leader in Yogyakarta. He protects all ethnic and religious groups within his territory," said political scientist Sukardi Rinakit of the Sugeng Suryadi Syndicate polling group during the presentation of the study's findings.
Sultan was the first public figure to condemn a brutal attack by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) on the National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion during a rally at the National Monument, Sukardi added.
Nearly 70 people were injured in that incident, which took place in June during a peaceful rally to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the Pancasila state ideology and to show support for the banned Jamaah Ahmadiyah Islamic sect. "Unlike normal polling, which evaluates candidates based on their popularity and electability, this evaluation ranks candidates according to their qualities and capabilities," said Rocky Gerungan of the P2D.
"With the top three presidential hopefuls gaining a score of around only 6, the country possesses only mediocre candidates thus far," he added.
Despite being seen as the candidate with the strongest commitment to human rights and the eradication of corruption, in addition to receiving the highest scores for education and experience, Yudhoyono received low marks for his decision-making capability (3.92), managerial skills (4.83) and responsiveness (5.75).
According to study experts, Akbar, a former House of Representatives speaker, was ranked higher than Yudhoyono because of his superior managerial skills, decision-making ability and commitment to social welfare.
Megawati received the highest score for social capital including popularity and solid support from her political party. However, she was given a very low score for both managerial skills (3.83) and commitment to human rights and eradicating corruption (3.75).
Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Rizal Mallarangeng were ranked fifth and sixth with an average score of 4.94 and 4.72, respectively.
All the presidential hopefuls from military backgrounds received poor rankings, with former Jakarta governor Sutiyoso, People's Conscience Party (Hanura) chairman Wiranto and Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) leader Prabowo Subianto coming in seventh, ninth and 10th, respectively.