A survey by one of Indonesia's top research groups has revealed that, as of December and according to public perception, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is the best person to lead the country.

The survey was carried out by the Institute of Research, Education and Information of Social and Economic Affairs (LP3ES) between Dec. 1 and 10, with a total of 2,490 respondents in 125 villages across the country.

LP3ES survey team head Fajar Nursahid reported that 59.5 percent of respondents consider Yudhoyono successful in improving public health; 56.3 percent say he has been successful in improving the quality of education and 36 percent say his fight against corruption is working. "Yudhoyono only lost to Megawati Soekarnoputri in the eastern part of the country," Fajar said.

Most complaints about Yudhoyono's administration, Fajar said, were over his inability to control food and fuel prices. However, such perception has likely shifted in the last few weeks, following the government's decision to lower fuel prices as global commodity prices slump. (and)